Battery pack assembly with integrated heater
First Claim
1. A device for adjusting a temperature of a battery pack, the device comprising:
- a first flexible non-conductive body defining a plurality of peripheral sides and a stub at one of the plurality of peripheral sides;
a flexible conductive heating strip positioned upon the first flexible non-conductive body, the heating strip operable to generate heat when an electric current is applied thereto;
a thermal sensor positioned upon the first flexible non-conductive body and surrounded by the heating strip on at least two sides of the thermal sensor, the thermal sensor operable to sense temperature when an electric current is applied thereto;
at least one connection pad positioned upon the first flexible non-conductive body, the at least one connection pad capable of receiving electric current;
at least one conductive connection tab coupled to the at least one connection pad and extending beyond at least one of the plurality of peripheral sides, the at least one conductive connection tab capable of electrical connection to an external power source; and
a first flexible conductive trace positioned upon the first flexible non-conductive body, the first conductive trace coupled to the at least one connection pad and terminating at the stub, the first conductive trace capable of transmitting electric current received by the at least one connection pad from the external power source to the stub.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery pack assembly for providing electric power to a load includes a battery pack, preferably made up of a plurality of lithium ion cells. A heating device formed of a flexible material flexes and covers at least part of the battery pack. The heating device includes a meandering heating strip. A thermal sensor is surrounded by the heating strip to sense the temperature of the battery pack. Electric current is applied to the heating strip to heat the battery pack when its temperature falls too low, thus improving performance of the battery pack. The heating device also includes a plurality of tabs extending beyond the peripheral sides of the heating device for direct connection to the cells. Thus, electric current for the heating strip is provided directly from the cells of the battery pack.
46 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A device for adjusting a temperature of a battery pack, the device comprising:
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a first flexible non-conductive body defining a plurality of peripheral sides and a stub at one of the plurality of peripheral sides; a flexible conductive heating strip positioned upon the first flexible non-conductive body, the heating strip operable to generate heat when an electric current is applied thereto; a thermal sensor positioned upon the first flexible non-conductive body and surrounded by the heating strip on at least two sides of the thermal sensor, the thermal sensor operable to sense temperature when an electric current is applied thereto; at least one connection pad positioned upon the first flexible non-conductive body, the at least one connection pad capable of receiving electric current; at least one conductive connection tab coupled to the at least one connection pad and extending beyond at least one of the plurality of peripheral sides, the at least one conductive connection tab capable of electrical connection to an external power source; and a first flexible conductive trace positioned upon the first flexible non-conductive body, the first conductive trace coupled to the at least one connection pad and terminating at the stub, the first conductive trace capable of transmitting electric current received by the at least one connection pad from the external power source to the stub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A device for adjusting a temperature of a battery pack, the device comprising:
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a first flexible non-conductive body defining a plurality of peripheral sides and a stub at one of the plurality of peripheral sides; a flexible conductive heating strip supported by the first flexible non-conductive body, the heating strip operable to generate heat when an electric current is applied thereto; a thermal sensor supported by the first flexible non-conductive body and surrounded by the heating strip on at least two sides of the thermal sensor, the thermal sensor operable to sense temperature when an electric current is applied thereto; at least one connection pad supported by the first flexible non-conductive body, the at least one connection pad capable of receiving electric current; at least one conductive connection tab coupled to the at least one connection pad and extending beyond at least one of the plurality of peripheral sides, the at least one conductive connection tab capable of electrical connection to an external power source; and a first flexible conductive trace supported by the first flexible non-conductive body, the first conductive trace coupled to the at least one connection pad and terminating at the stub, the first conductive trace capable of transmitting electric current received by the at least one connection pad from the external power source to the stub.
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Specification