Flexible circuit with tabs for connection to battery cells

• US 6,153,834 A
• Filed: 04/02/1998
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amperex Technology Limited (TDK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mata, Thomas H., Carr, Stephen N., Mendez, Jose' A., Deslyper, Amy T., Cole, Joseph Daren
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vigushin, John B.
• Application Number:
  US09/054,096
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 174/254, 174/260, 361/749, 361/782, 361/811, 361/750, 361/751, 439/67, 439/77, 439/500, 429/96, 429/99, 429/100, 429/123, 429/127
• US Class Current: 174/260
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/50 Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/118 specially for flexible printed circuits, e.g. using folded portions
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Described is a flexible circuit for a battery cell where the tabs of the flexible circuit have two or more perpendicular axis of bending. The multiple axes of bending allow the flexible circuit to be placed atop a battery cell, and both tabs of the flexible circuit can then be pinch (series) welded to the tabs of the battery cell. This results in a strong, predictable weld, and a more durable, reliable, electronic product.

Claims

1. A battery comprising tabs electrically connected to a flexible circuit comprising a tab with two or more axes of bending, wherein the electrical connection is a weld.