Computer having nickel-hydrogen battery and vent holes sealed with porous film

• US 5,623,390 A
• Filed: 06/25/1996
• Issued: 04/22/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Funaki, Hitoshi, Noda, Hideaki, Sainokami, Naoyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gandhi, Jayprakash N.
• Application Number:
  US08/673,696
• Time in Patent Office: 301 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-683, 429/12, 429/34, 429/35, 429/57, 429/72
• US Class Current: 361/679.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/30 Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/394 Gas-pervious parts or elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A computer including a body case housing a display, an outer member formed of an impact-resistant material integrally formed on the outside surface of the body case, and an outwardly-projecting cushioning portion formed at each corner of the outside member. Each of the cushioning portions has a first protective portion extending outwardly from the body case, and a second protective portion projecting curvilinearly with respect to the first protective portion and extending onto a surface or a back side of the body case. The cushioning portions are formed of an elastic material. Further, vent holes are formed in the body case which are sealed with a porous film which is permeable to gas but not permeable to water. The vent holes provide an escape path for gas produced by a battery, such as a nickel-hydrogen battery, in the event that the battery explodes within the body case.

Claims

1. A computer comprising a body case incorporating a battery which produces an explosive gas during a malfunction event of the battery, the battery being sealed in a gas- and liquid-tight manner within the body case, said body case being used as a primary receptacle portion for the explosive gas produced from said battery,

wherein vent holes are formed in the body case which communicate with the atmosphere and are sealed with a porous film which is permeable to gas but not permeable to water;

and

wherein said battery is a nickel-hydrogen battery.

2. A computer driven by a battery, characterized in that a battery receptacle portion for receiving said battery therein is formed within a body case, the interior of said body case is sealed in a gas- and liquid-tight manner against the exterior, an opening for outflow of an explosive gas evolved from said battery to the interior of said body case is formed in said battery receptacle portion, and vent holes are formed in the body case, said vent holes being sealed with a porous film which is permeable to gas but not permeable to water.