Apple Inc.

Charles W Werley

Christopher J Birgers

Michael Joseph Solomon

Vijayasekaran Boovaragavan

Thai T Ton

Tyler S Bushnell

Richard M Mank

George V Anastas

Yang Zhou

Aaron Albert Oro

Haran Balaram

Ross D Arriens

James C Wu

Angelo V Marasco

Xiaoyun Hu

Sean M Cole

Peter J Guest

Nishant R Jayant

Adriano De Fusco

Aleksandar Daniel O Rivin

Xunsheng Wang

Alex J Newman

Richard L Winslow

Hanked cable

A magnetic alignment system can include a case with a magnetic alignment component that is configured to align with a magnetic alignment component of a wireless charging device. The case can support a portable electronic device, such as a smart phone and include an NFC coil for communicating with the portable electronic device. The magnetic alignment component and the NFC coil can be provided as an assembly that is embedded within a body of the case in a manner that provides a low profile and improved aesthetic appearance.

Case with magnetic alignment for portable electronic device

A battery assembly includes a battery cell with leads extending from the battery and a circuit including a substrate and contacts that extend from the substrate. The leads are coupled to the contacts by mechanical or adhesive bonds located on sections of the contacts extending from the substrate. In various implementations, the circuit may include a variety of different components coupled to the substrate. Such components may be operable to perform a variety of functions such as regulating, monitoring, controlling, and/or otherwise managing the battery cell. Such components may include one or more battery management units, safety circuits, capacity gauges, and/or other components.

Coupling tolerance accommodating contacts or leads for batteries

Battery assemblies, as well as methods and processes for forming same. A battery assembly can include a first tab electrically connected to a first terminal of a battery and a second tab electrically connected to a second terminal of the battery. A battery assembly can also include a first conductive path (aka first section) having a first end, and a second conductive path (aka second section) having a second end. Another end of the first conductive path can be coupled an electronic device, such as an electric circuit. Another end of the second conductive path can be coupled to the electronic device as well. A space separates the first and second ends; the space formed by removing at least one portion of a U-shaped conductive path. The first conductive path and the first battery tab are connected. The second conductive path and the second battery tab are also connected.

Modified U-tab for accommodating indeterminate battery tab locations

An electronic device having a circuit board and a battery is disclosed. The circuit board may include a through hole and an electrical pad surrounding the through hole. In order to electrically couple the circuit board to the battery, and in particular, an electrode of the battery, a tab (or plaque) is placed between the electrical pad and the electrode. The tab electrically couples with the electrical pad by a soldering operation. To couple (electrically and mechanically) the tab with the electrode, a welding operation is used. The welding operation may include a laser weld providing thermal energy through a laser beam. In this regard, the laser beam passes through the through hole, thereby (partially) melting the tab and forming a weld between the tab and the electrode. Accordingly, the tab covers the through hole such that the tab is positioned to receive the laser beam.

Circuit board secured to battery cell using a circuit board through hole and methods for welding the circuit board

Systems and methods for hanking a cable are disclosed. A hanked cable may be formed by winding the cable around two or more mandrels attached to support members of a winding fixture. At least one of the mandrels can be removeably attached to the winding fixture to facilitate clamping the cable between the mandrel and the support member. The distance between mandrels may be varied by including, in the winding fixture, an adjustable stage for adjusting the relative positions of the mandrels. Once the cable is wound into a hanked configuration, it may be wrapped with a semi-rigid wrapping member to help retain the hanked shape.

Systems and methods for hanking a cable

Growing community of inventors

Bethlehem, PA, United States of America

Charles W Werley