Standardized rechargeable battery cell

• US 10,529,973 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2014
• Issued: 01/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tricopian, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tricopian, LLC
• Inventors: Yau, Chi W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cullen, Sean P
• Application Number:
  US14/912,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20160197337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,964 Days
• Field of Search: 429 7, 429 96, 429 97, 429100
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0436 Small-sized flat cells or batteries for portable equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4271 Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• 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 50/572 Means for preventing undesired use or discharge
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/574 Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• 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

Applications for use with a rechargeable power unit. In one embodiment, the rechargeable power unit is configured to be releasably connected to one or more interchangeable attachments having an electric functionality. In one embodiment, an electric device is configured having a compartment and connection portion configured to receive and use the rechargeable power unit as a power source. In some embodiments, the rechargeable power unit can be obtained or exchanged at a battery exchange machine.

Claims

1. An electric device comprising:

a battery compartment;

a rechargeable power unit configured to be disposed in the battery compartment the rechargeable power unit comprising;

an electrochemical cell;

an input/output module in electrical connection with the electrochemical cell; and

a casing housing the electrochemical cell and the input/output module; and

a connection portion removably connected to the battery compartment, the connection portion comprising;

a connector configured to be removably received within an output port of the rechargeable power unit and to provide a path for current flow from the rechargeable power unit to circuitry of the electric device; and

a body housing electrical contacts connected to the connector, the body partially surrounding the connector.

2. The electric device of claim 1, wherein the battery compartment is sized to receive the rechargeable power unit.

3. The electric device of claim 1, wherein the body of the connection portion is configured to receive a portion of the rechargeable power unit as the connector is received into the output port.

4. The electric device of claim 1, wherein the battery compartment is configured to receive one or more standard form factor batteries when the connection portion is removed.

5. The electric device of claim 4, wherein the electrical contacts are configured to allow the rechargeable power unit to replace the one or more standard form factor batteries when the connection portion is connected to the battery compartment.

6. The electric device of claim 4, wherein the battery compartment is unable to electrically connect to the rechargeable power unit when the connection portion is removed.

7. The electric device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an alignment feature configured to align the connection portion with the rechargeable power unit.

8. The electric device of claim 7, wherein the alignment feature extends along a side of the body adjacent to a side of the body from which the connector extends.

9. The electric device of claim 8, wherein the alignment feature extends a length along the body equivalent to a length of the connector configured to be received in the output port.

10. The electric device of claim 8, wherein the alignment feature comprises a raised portion, a groove, and/or a visual marking.