Battery having water-proof case and portable electronic apparatus using the battery

• US 5,707,757 A
• Filed: 05/29/1996
• Issued: 01/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jingpin Technologies, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Yl-Kwoun
• Primary Examiner(s): KALAFUT, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US08/654,907
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 429/53, 429/86, 429/89, 429/97, 429/99, 429/129, 429/130, 429/181
• US Class Current: 429/86
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/30 Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Disclosed is a water-proof, gas pervious casing for a battery capable of containing a plurality of battery cells. The casing is made of a gas impervious, water-proof material that completely encapsulates the battery cells. A recessed region in the casing contains perforations, allowing gases to escape. This perforated recessed region is covered and filled with a plurality of layers of gas pervious sheets, one of which is water-proof. In addition to the recessed region, the exterior of the casing of the battery contains an electrical connector terminal which is surrounded with a water-proof seal. When the battery is installed in an electrical appliance, a cavity wall forms a water-proof seal with the battery to prevent moisture from entering the terminal region of the battery. On the exterior of the casing, adjacent to the recessed region, is a series of spacers are mounted which provide channels for exhaust gas to flow when the battery is snugly installed into the battery cavity of an electronic appliance. Lastly, the exterior casing of the battery contains a gripping device which allows the battery to latch on to a protrusion in on an electrical appliance when the battery is installed into the electrical appliance, preventing the battery from being inadvertently separated from the electrical appliance.

Claims

1. A battery comprising:

a plurality of battery cells; and

a case for encasing said battery cells, said case including a plurality of holes formed thereon for passing gas and air, an air-permeative water-proof sheet for covering said holes and passing the gas and air without passing water, and an adhesive sheet member for fixing said air-permeative water-proof sheet.

2. A battery as defined in claim 1, wherein said adhesive sheet member comprises more than two layers of adhesive sheets having a same size as said air-permeative water-proof sheet each with a plurality of holes corresponding to those of said case, and said air-permeative water-proof sheet being interposed between said adhesive sheets.

3. A battery as defined in claim 2, wherein a zone forming said plurality of holes in said case is depressed enough to fit a thickness of a combined structure of said adhesive sheets containing said air-permeative water-proof sheet.

4. A battery as defined in claim 1, wherein said adhesive sheet member includes an adhesive sheet with a plurality of holes corresponding to those of said air-permeative water-proof sheet being interposed between said adhesive sheet and said holes of said case.

5. A battery as defined in claim 1, further comprising a spacer of an elastic material provided on a face of said case whereon said air-permeative means is provided, said spacer defining an air passage between said electronic apparatus and said battery when said battery is mounted on said electronic apparatus.

6. A battery as defined in claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector provided on a face of said case and a seal member disposed around said electrical connector, said seal member being pressed against a face of the electronic apparatus to prevent the water permeating into said electrical connector when said battery is installed on the electronic apparatus.

7. A portable electronic apparatus comprising:

a cavity formed therein; and

a battery mounted on said cavity, said battery comprising a plurality of battery cells, and a case for encasing said battery cells, said case including a plurality of holes formed thereon for passing gas and air, an air-permeative water-proof sheet for covering said holes and passing the gas and air without passing water, and an adhesive sheet member for fixing said air-permeative water-proof sheet.

8. A portable electronic apparatus as defined in claim 7, further comprising a spacer of an elastic material provided on a face of said case of said battery whereon said air-permeative means is provided, said spacer defining an air passage between said electronic apparatus and said battery when said battery is mounted on said electronic apparatus.

9. A portable electronic apparatus as defined in claim 7, further comprising an electrical connector provided on a face of said battery and a seal member disposed around said electrical connector, said seal member being pressed against a face of the electronic apparatus to prevent the water permeating into said electrical connector when said battery is installed on the electronic apparatus.

10. A portable electronic apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said adhesive sheet member comprises more than one layer of adhesive sheet having the same size as said air-permeative water-proof sheet each with a plurality of holes corresponding to those of said case, and said air-permeative water-proof sheet being interposed between said adhesive sheet and said holes of said case.

11. A portable electronic apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein a zone forming said plurality of holes in said case is depressed enough to fit a thickness of a combined structure of said adhesive sheet containing said air-permeative water-proof sheet.

12. A battery case, comprising:

a housing containing a solid first region and a perforated second region;

a first perforated adhesive sheet covering said second region;

an air-permeative water-proof sheet coveting said first perforated adhesive sheet; and

a second perforated adhesive sheet covering said air-permeative water-proof sheet.

13. The battery case of claim 12 wherein said second region of said housing is recessed inward from said first region, allowing said second region to become flush with said first region when said second region is filled by said first perforated adhesive sheet, said air-permeative water-proof sheet, and said second perforated adhesive sheet.

14. The battery of claim 13, where said air-permeative water-proof sheet is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

15. The battery of claim 13, where said air-permeative water-proof sheet is made of a stretched film of polypropylene.

19. The battery case of claim 12, containing a griping mechanism that latches on to a protrusion on an electrical device when said battery is placed in a battery cavity in said electrical device.

20. The battery case of claim 19, further containing an electrical terminal on the exterior, said electrical terminal surrounded by a seal member.

21. The battery case of claim 20, where a watertight seal forms between said battery case and said cavity wall of said electrical device when said battery is installed in said battery cavity in said electrical device preventing moisture from coming into contact with said electrical terminal.

16. A battery case, comprising:

an encapsulating battery housing containing a solid first region and a perforated second region;

an air-permeative water-proof sheet covering said perforated second region; and

a perforated adhesive sheet covering said air-permeative water-proof sheet.

17. The battery case of claim 16, where said second region is recessed inward from said first region allowing said second region to become flush with said first region when said second region is covered by said air-permeative water-proof sheet and said perforated adhesive sheet.

18. The battery case of claim 17, where said air-permeative water-proof sheet is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.