Battery pack and connector

• US 8,309,245 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2009
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Coish, Robert L., Ligtenberg, Chris, Hopkinson, Ron, Raff, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruddock, Ula C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parsons, Thomas H.
• Application Number:
  US12/549,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20100310931A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 429/96, 429/99, 429/100, 429158-160, 429/176, 429/177
• US Class Current: 429/100
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/224 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/227 Organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/233 characterised by physical properties of casings or racks, e.g. dimensions
• 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 50/264 for cells or batteries, e.g. straps, tie rods or peripheral frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making

Abstract

By being embedded in a portable computing device, a battery pack is made essentially inaccessible to unauthorized users, thereby allowing for a battery pack that can be made smaller and of lighter construction material, thereby facilitating greater component density within the portable computing device, lower cost to manufacture, and more environmentally secure.

Claims

1. A thin battery pack integrally embedded into a portable computing device, comprising:

a battery pack frame configured to provide structural support to battery pack components included therein,

wherein the battery pack frame comprises a recessed portion that reduces an overall thickness of the battery pack so as to provide additional space for internal components of the portable computing device other than those related to the battery pack, and an opening located over a portion of the recessed portion, the opening reducing an overall weight of the battery pack frame;

a lightweight, thin and flexible protective layer covering the opening arranged to provide a barrier between the battery pack components and an interior environment of the portable computing device; and

a battery pack cover secured to the battery pack frame, comprising;

at least one tamper resistant fastener configured to secure the battery pack cover directly to a housing of the portable computing device and the battery pack frame such that the at least one tamper resistant fastener prevents an unauthorized release of the battery pack into an external environment.

2. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector arranged to electrically connect circuits external to the battery pack with circuits and battery cells internal to the battery pack.

3. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 0.1 mm.

4. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, wherein the protective layer comprises a polyester film.

5. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, wherein the protective layer comprises stainless steel.

6. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, wherein the battery pack cover is secured to the battery pack frame with adhesive.

7. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, wherein the battery pack cover has a thickness of less than about 1.3 mm.

8. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, wherein the battery pack is embedded in a computing device, comprising:

a housing having a single piece front portion secured to a single piece back portion; and

electrical components of the computing device,

wherein the battery pack is secured to the single piece front portion with at least one tamper-resistant fastener.

9. The battery pack as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one tamper-resistant fastener can be manipulated only by a customized tool.

10. The battery pack as recited in claim 8, wherein the battery pack comprises at least one battery cell having a shape and size customized to fit in a cavity of the single piece front portion.

11. The battery pack as recited in claim 8, wherein the battery pack has a thickness of less than about 14 mm.

12. The battery pack as recited in claim 8, further comprising an electrical connector for electrically coupling the battery pack to the electrical components of the computing device, wherein the electrical connector is positioned between the battery pack and the single piece front portion.

13. The battery pack as recited in claim 8, wherein the battery pack comprises a protective layer adjacent electrical components of the computing device, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 0.1 mm or less.

14. The battery pack as recited in claim 8, wherein the battery pack includes at least one specially shaped recess arranged to accommodate the at least one tamper-resistant fastener in such a way as to allow removal of the at least one tamper resistant fastener only with a customized tool.