Battery continuation apparatus and method thereof

• US 5,738,954 A
• Filed: 07/14/1997
• Issued: 04/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Komar Incorporated (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Weigand, David Lind, Latella, Ricky, Goergen, Glenn Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): KALAFUT, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US08/892,552
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• Field of Search: 429/97, 429/99, 429/123, 320/66
• US Class Current: 429/97
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• 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 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1635 Stackable modules
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/122 Arrangements for providing electrical connections, e.g. connectors, cables, switches
• 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 50/244 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 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/701 the switch being actuated by an accessory, e.g. cover, locking member
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0031 using battery or load disconnect circuits H02J9/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A battery continuation apparatus (104) contains an electrochemical cell (1039) and a bypass mechanism (1100). When attached to an electronic device (100), the bypass mechanism (1100) selectively connects the one electrochemical cell (1039) to power the electronic device (100) or selectively bypasses the electrochemical cell (1039) when a battery pack (102) or an additional battery continuation apparatus (2001) having a second source of power is coupled to the battery continuation apparatus (104).

Claims

1. A battery continuation apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a first contact positioned on said housing to connect to a first device;

at least one electrochemical cell positioned in said housing to provide a first source of power to the first device;

a second contact positioned on said housing to connect to a second device, the second device to provide a second source of power; and

a bypass mechanism coupled to said at least one electrochemical cell, said first contact, and said second contact, said bypass mechanism to automatically connect said at least one electrochemical cell to said first contact when said second contact is unconnected to the second device and to isolate the at least one electrochemical cell from the second device when said second contact is connected to the second device.

2. A battery continuation apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bypass mechanism comprises:

a conductor coupled between said first contact and said second contact;

.

a switch coupled between said first contact and said at least one electrochemical cell; and

a switch control coupled in proximity to said switch to control said switch to connect said first contact to said at least one electrochemical cell to provide the first source of power to the first device and, alternatively, to disconnect said first contact from said at least one electrochemical cell and, thereby provide the second source of power to the first device when the second device is connected to said second contact.

3. A battery continuation apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said switch control includes a detector to detect connection of the second device.

4. A battery continuation apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a first contact positioned on said housing to connect to a first device;

at least one electrochemical cell positioned in said housing to provide a first source of power to the first device;

a second contact positioned on said housing to connect to a second device, the second device to provide a second source of power; and

a bypass mechanism coupled to said at least one electrochemical cell, said first contact, and said second contact, said bypass mechanism including a door member to selectively conceal said second contact, said bypass mechanism to automatically connect said at least one electrochemical cell to said first contact only when said second contact is unconnected to the second device.

5. A battery continuation apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said door member is positioned to conceal said second contact when the second device is not connected thereto and to expose said second contact just prior to connection of the second device thereto.

6. A battery continuation apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a first contact positioned on said housing to connect to a first device;

at least one electrochemical cell positioned in said housing to provide a first source of power to the first device;

a second contact positioned on said housing to connect to a second device, the second device to provide a second source of power;

an actuatable release mechanism carried on said housing to release the battery continuation apparatus from the first device; and

a bypass mechanism coupled to said at least one electrochemical cell, said first contact, and said second contact, said bypass mechanism to automatically connect said at least one electrochemical cell to said first contact only when said second contact is unconnected to the second device.

7. A battery continuation apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said housing includes a first side for juxtapositioning with the first device, a second side for juxtapositioning with the second device, and a third side extending between said first side and said second side, said actuatable release mechanism carried on said third side to facilitate access to the actuatable release mechanism.

8. An assembly comprising:

a battery powered device having a first mating apparatus; and

a first battery continuation apparatus having a first housing, a first depletable power source disposed in said first housing, a second mating apparatus carried on one side of said first housing, and a third mating apparatus carried on another side of said first housing opposite said one side thereof, said second mating apparatus releasably mated to said first mating apparatus of said battery powered device, said first battery continuation apparatus to provide said first depletable power source to said battery powered device when said first and second mating apparatuses are releasably mated and said third mating apparatus is unmated and said first battery continuation apparatus isolates said first depletable power source when said third mating apparatus is mated.

9. An assembly comprising:

a battery powered device having a first mating apparatus;

a first battery continuation apparatus having a first housing, a first depletable power source disposed in said first housing a second mating apparatus carried on one side of said first housing, and a third mating apparatus carried on another side of said first housing opposite said one side thereof, said second mating apparatus releasably mated to said first mating apparatus of said battery powered device, said first battery continuation apparatus to provide said first depletable power source to said battery powered device only when said first and second mating apparatuses are releasably mated and said third mating apparatus is unmated; and

a second battery continuation apparatus having a second housing, a second depletable power source disposed in said second housing, a fourth mating apparatus carried on one side of said second housing, and a fifth mating apparatus carried on another side of said second housing opposite to said one side thereof, said fourth mating apparatus releasably mated to said third mating apparatus of said first battery continuation apparatus, said second battery continuation apparatus to provide said second depletable power source to said battery powered device via said first battery continuation apparatus only when said first and second mating apparatuses are releasably mated, said third and fourth mating apparatuses are releasably mated, and said fifth mating apparatus is unmated.

10. An assembly according to claim 9 further comprising a battery pack having a third housing, a third depletable power source disposed in said third housing, and a sixth mating apparatus carried on one side of said third housing, said sixth mating apparatus releasably mated to said fifth mating apparatus of said second battery continuation apparatus, said battery pack to provide said third depletable power source to said battery powered device via said first and second battery continuation apparatuses only when said first and second mating apparatuses are releasably mated, said third and fourth mating apparatus are releasably mated, and said fifth and sixth mating apparatuses are unmated.

13. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein said second housing of said second battery continuation apparatus further comprises a third side extending between said one and another sides of said second housing, said third side comprising a release mechanism accessibly located, said release mechanism actuatable to release said second battery continuation apparatus from the assembly without releasing any of said first battery continuation apparatus and said battery powered device.

11. An assembly comprising:

a battery powered device having a first mating apparatus;

a first battery continuation apparatus having a first housing, a first depletable power source disposed in said first housing, a second mating apparatus carried on one side of said first housing, and a third mating apparatus carried on another side of said first housing opposite said one side thereof, said second mating apparatus releasably mated to said first mating apparatus of said battery powered device, said first battery continuation apparatus to provide said first depletable power source to said battery powered device only when said first and second mating apparatuses are releasably mated and said third mating apparatus is unmated; and

a battery pack having a second housing, a second depletable power source disposed in said second housing, and a fourth mating apparatus carried on one side of said second housing, said fourth mating apparatus releasably mated to said third mating apparatus of said first battery continuation apparatus, said battery pack to provide said second depletable power source to said battery powered device via said first battery continuation apparatus only when said first and second mating apparatuses are releasably mated and said third and fourth mating apparatuses are releasably mated.

12. An assembly comprising:

a battery powered device having a first mating apparatus; and

a first battery continuation apparatus having a first housing, a first depletable power source disposed in said first housing, a second mating apparatus carried on one side of said first housing, a third mating apparatus carried on another side of said first housing opposite said one side thereof, and a door slidably carried on said another side of the said first housing, said second mating apparatus comprising a first contact, said second mating apparatus releasably mated to said first mating apparatus of said battery powered device, said third mating apparatus comprising a second contact, said second contact movably disposed behind said door, said door to conceal said second contact when said third mating apparatus is unmated and to reveal said second contact during mating of said third mating apparatus, said first battery continuation apparatus to provide said first depletable power source to said battery powered device only when said first and second mating apparatuses are releasably mated and said third mating apparatus is unmated.

14. A battery continuation apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a first contact positioned on said housing to connect to a first device;

at least one electrochemical cell positioned in said housing to provide a first source of power;

a second contact positioned on said housing to connect to a second device, the second device to provide a second source of power;

a pair of uninterrupted conductor coupled to said first and second contacts; and

a bypass mechanism coupled to said at least one electrochemical cell and said pair of uninterrupted conductor, said bypass mechanism to connect said at least one electrochemical cell across said pair of uninterrupted conductors when said second contact us not connected to the second device such that said pair of uninterrupted conductors delivers the first source of power to the first device, and said bypass mechanism to disconnect said at least one electrochemical cell from across said pair of uninterrupted conductors when said second contact is not connected to the second device such that said pair of uninterrupted conductors delivers the first source of power to the first device.

15. A battery continuation apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said bypass mechanism comprises:

a switch coupled between said uninterrupted conductor and said at least one electrochemical cell; and

a switch control coupled in proximity to said switch and said second contact to control said switch, responsive to connection of the second device to said second contact, to connect said at least one electrochemical cell to said uninterrupted conductor and, alternatively, to disconnect said at least one electrochemical cell from said uninterrupted conductor.

16. A battery continuation apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a first contact positioned on said housing to connect to a first device;

at least one electrochemical cell positioned in said housing to provide a first source of power;

a second contact positioned on said housing to connect to a second device, the second device to provide a second source of power;

an uninterrupted conductor coupled to said first and second contacts; and

a bypass mechanism coupled to said at least one electrochemical cell and said uninterrupted conductor, said bypass mechanism comprising a door slidably carried on said housing, said second contact movably disposed behind said door, said door to conceal said second contact when said second contact is unconnected to the second device and to reveal said second contact to permit electrical connection with the second device prior to connection thereof to said second contact, said bypass mechanism to connect said at least one electrochemical cell to said uninterrupted conductor when said second contact is not connected to the second device such that said uninterrupted conductor delivers the first source of power to the first device, and said bypass mechanism to disconnect said at least one electrochemical cell from said uninterrupted conductor when said second contact is connected to the second device such that said uninterrupted conductor delivers the second source of power to the first device.

17. A battery continuation apparatus comprising:

a housing having a first side and a second side opposite said first side;

a depletable power source disposed in said housing;

a first mating apparatus carried on said first side;

a second mating apparatus carried on said second side; and

a bypass mechanism coupled to said depletable power source and said first and second mating apparatuses, said bypass mechanism to electrically connect said depletable power source to said first mating apparatus when said second mating apparatus is unmated and to electrically isolate said depletable power source when said second mating apparatus is mated.

18. A battery continuation apparatus comprising:

a housing having a first side and a second side opposite said first side;

a depletable power source disposed in said housing;

a first mating apparatus carried on said first side, said first mating apparatus comprising a first contact;

a second mating apparatus carried on said second side, said second mating apparatus comprising a second contact, said second contact connected to said first contact; and

a bypass mechanism coupled to said depletable power source and said first and second mating apparatuses, said bypass mechanism comprising a door slidably carried on said housing, said second contact movably disposed behind said door, said door to conceal said second contact when said second mating apparatus is unmated and to reveal said second contact when said second mating apparatus is mated, and said bypass mechanism to electrically connect said depletable power source to said first mating apparatus only when said second mating apparatus is unmated.

19. A battery continuation apparatus comprising:

a housing having a first side and a second side opposite said first side;

a depletable power source disposed in said housing;

a first mating apparatus carried on said first side;

a second mating apparatus carried on said second side; and

a bypass mechanism coupled to said depletable power source and said first and second mating apparatuses, said bypass mechanism comprising a switch coupled between said depletable power source and said first mating apparatus, said switch to electrically connect said depletable power source to said first mating apparatus and, alternatively, to electrically disconnect said depletable power source from said first mating apparatus, said bypass mechanism to electrically connect said depletable power source to said first mating apparatus only when said second mating apparatus is unmated.

20. A battery continuation apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a first contact positioned on said housing to connect to a first device;

at least one electrochemical cell positioned in said housing to provide a first source of power to the first device;

a second contact positioned on said housing to connect to a second device, the second device to provide a second source of power;

a switch coupled to said at least one electrochemical cell and said first contact to selectively connect said at least one electrochemical cell to said first contact and selectively bypass said at least one electrochemical cell when the second device is connected to said second contact; and

a door carried on said housing to selectively conceal said second contact when the second device is not connected thereto and to selectively reveal said second contact during connection of the second device thereto.