Battery Analysis Interface and Measurement System

• US 20110231123A1
• Filed: 03/22/2010
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc. (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc. (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Jenkinson, David Ross, Bacon, Daniel P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,306,764 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/371 with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/386 using test-loads

Abstract

A battery analysis interface enables measurement of a performance of an internal battery while the battery powers an electronic device. The battery analysis interface is configured to connect an analysis device to the battery located within a battery compartment of the electronic device and enclosed by a battery cover. In this way, the battery analysis interface may enable testing of the battery'"'"'s performance while the electronic device is fully assembled (i.e., the battery cover is secured to electronic device). The battery analysis interface may be connected to directly to terminals on the battery and/or electronic device or connected to the terminals via wires or strips of conductive material.

Claims

1. A battery analysis interface comprising:

a flexible layered cable having a first end configured to connect to battery terminals and a terminal of an electronic device and a second end configured to connect to an analyzer device to measure performance of the battery powering the electronic device, the flexible layered cable configured to enable the battery to be secured within the electronic device and enclosed by a battery cover such that the flexible layered cable does not interfere during attachment of the battery cover of the electronic device when the flexible layered cable is connected to the battery terminals.

2. The battery analysis interface as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pin connector located proximate the second end to couple to a complementary plug in connection to the analyzer device.

3. The battery analysis interface as recited in claim 2, wherein the pin connector is a 12 pin connector.

4. The battery analysis interface as recited in claim 1, further comprising conductor strips that complete a connection between the flexible layered cable and positive (+) and negative (−

) terminals on the battery and a negative (−

) terminal on the electronic device.

5. The battery analysis interface as recited in claim 4, wherein the first end includes a positive (+) battery terminal pad, a negative (−

) battery terminal pad, and a negative (−

) electronic device pad to receive the conductor strips.

6. The battery analysis interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the first end includes a positive (+) battery terminal pad, a negative (−

) battery terminal pad, and a negative (−

) electronic device pad to receive the conductor strips, the respective pads being accessible from either a top or bottom of the flexible layered cable to accommodate multiple battery polarity configurations.

7. The battery analysis interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible layered cable has a thickness of less than or equal to 0.1 inches to enable bending of the flexible layer cable through a seam between the battery cover and a housing of the electronic device.

8. The battery analysis interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the flexible layered cable includes shunt pads located between a first negative connector pad and a second negative connector pad.

9. A battery measurement system comprising;

a battery configured to operate a battery-powered electronic device that includes an internal battery compartment enclosed by a battery cover;

a battery analysis interface having a first end to connect to terminals of the internal battery and the battery-powered electronic device and a second end having a coupling device; and

an analysis device to analyze performance of the battery while the battery powers the electronic device, the analysis device coupled to the battery analysis interface via the coupling device.

10. The battery measurement system as recited in claim 9, wherein the battery analysis interface includes conductor strips that complete a connection between connector pads on the first end and positive (+) and negative (−

) terminals on the internal battery and a negative (−

) terminal on the electronic device.

11. The battery measurement system as recited in claim 10, wherein the connector pads include a positive (+) battery terminal pad, a negative (−

) battery terminal pad, and a negative (−

) electronic device pad to receive the conductor strips.

12. The battery measurement system as recited in claim 9, wherein the battery powered electronic device is a telecommunication device.

13. The battery measurement system as recited in claim 9, wherein the battery analysis interface is a layered flex cable that has a thickness of less than or equal to 0.1 inches.

14. The battery measurement system as recited in claim 9, wherein the battery analysis interface is secured to the battery.

15. The battery measurement system as recited in claim 9, wherein the battery analysis interface infiltrates a seam of the battery cover to gain access to the battery terminals while the battery cover is attached to the battery-powered electronic device.

16. A method of instrumenting a battery that powers an electronic device to allow monitoring of battery performance while the battery is located within the electronic device, the method comprising:

connecting a first end of a battery interface to the battery;

inserting the battery within the electronic device;

placing a cover over the battery, the cover being affixed to the electronic device; and

connecting an exposed end of the battery interface that is external to the electronic device to an analysis device to enable measurement of the battery performance while the electronic device is in operation.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the connecting the first end of the battery interface to the battery includes:

securing an end of a first wire to a positive (+) battery terminal and an end of a second wire to a negative (−

) battery terminal;

securing the second wire with an insulating film;

placing a third wire over the insulating film and over the negative (−

) battery terminal while not contacting the second wire; and

securing the wires to respective connector pads on the battery interface.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

securing the wires to the battery with insulating tape; and

securing the battery interface to the battery with insulating tape.

19. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising positioning the battery interface on a side that aligns the respective connector pads with the polarity of the battery to avoid crossing any of the respective wires.

20. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising connecting the analysis device to a computer device running software to record the battery performance.