Battery pack having integrated charging circuit and charging connector and method of forming same

• US 5,920,178 A
• Filed: 06/11/1998
• Issued: 07/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Robertson, William H. Jr., Pinder, Ellis A., Brannan, Michael H., Hosseini, Sam
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/096,394
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 320/111, 320/112, 320/113, 320/114, 320/107
• US Class Current: 320/114
• 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 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/10 Temperature sensitive devices
• 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 50/50 Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5044 Cells or batteries structurally combined with cell condition indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery pack (100) for an electronic device includes one or more rechargeable battery cells (102), a charging circuit (117) for regulating a predetermined recharging voltage and current applied to the battery cells (102); and an electrical connector (115) integrated into the battery pack for providing connection to the charging circuit and permitting connection to the electrical connector (115) whether the battery pack (100) is positioned within or outside the electronic device.

Claims

1. A battery pack for an electronic device comprising:

at least one battery cell; and

an electrical connector integrated into the battery pack for providing connection to the at least one battery cell whether the battery pack is positioned within or outside the electronic device.

2. A battery pack as in claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of alignment apertures located within the battery pack for aligning with at least one alignment post located on the electronic device.

3. A battery pack as in claim 1, further comprising a charging status indictor for indicating the at least one battery cell is in a recharge mode.

4. A battery pack as in claim 1, further comprising:

a battery protection circuit for preventing damage to the at least one battery cell due to incorrect polarity and high battery temperature outside a predetermined temperature range.

5. A battery pack as in claim 4, wherein the battery protection circuit further comprises an electrical circuit for providing a regulated voltage and current during a recharge mode.

6. A rechargeable battery pack used within an electronic device having an integrated charging circuit and electrical connector comprising:

at least one rechargeable battery cell positionable within an battery tray located in the electronic device;

a control circuit located within the battery pack for preventing over temperature of the rechargeable battery cell during a recharge mode; and

an electrical recharging connector integrated within the rechargeable battery pack enabling connection of the external power source irrespective of the rechargeable battery pack'"'"'s position within or outside the battery tray.

7. A rechargeable battery pack as in claim 6, further comprising:

at least one alignment aperture located within the rechargeable battery pack for aligning the battery pack in a predetermined orientation with a corresponding alignment post within the battery tray.

8. A rechargeable battery pack as in claim 6, wherein the battery tray includes an access slot for accessing the electrical connector when the rechargeable battery pack is inserted within the battery tray.

9. A rechargeable battery pack as in claim 6, wherein the control circuit further includes an electrical circuit for providing a predetermined current and voltage to the at least one rechargeable battery cell from an external power source when in a recharge mode.

10. A method for providing a rechargeable battery pack capable of being recharged inside or outside of a battery tray located within an electronic device comprising the steps of:

providing at least one battery cell within a recharge battery pack housing; and

attaching an electrical connector with the recharge battery pack housing for enabling the battery pack to be recharged within or outside of the battery tray.

11. A method for providing a rechargeable battery pack as in claim 10, further comprising the step of:

connecting a battery control circuit within the battery pack housing for providing a predetermined voltage and current to the battery during charging.

12. A method for providing a rechargeable battery pack as in claim 10, further comprising the step of:

connecting a battery control circuit within battery pack housing for providing control of battery temperature while in a recharging mode.

13. A method for providing a rechargeable battery pack as in claim 10, further comprising the step of:

aligning a plurality of alignment apertures in the rechargeable battery pack with corresponding alignment posts in the battery tray for securing the rechargeable battery pack within the battery tray.

14. A method for providing a rechargeable battery pack as in claim 10, further comprising the step of:

providing a charging status indicator for indicating the at least one battery cell is in the recharging mode.