Motorola Corporation

Russell E Gyenes

Raymond J Kleinert, Iii

Willard F Amero, Jr

Venus D Desai

Steven R Fischl

Micheal M Austin

Adnan Aksoy

Harold J Gorenz

Robert D Kreisinger

Michael M Austin

Niko M Savovic

John H Hackenberg

Corina Stanescu

Michael P Cicci

This invention includes a spacer, preferably having a cross section resembling the letter &ldquo;T&rdquo;, that is positioned between the electrode assembly and the metal can in electrochemical battery cells. The spacer allows a void to exist between the corner of the metal can and the electrode assembly. This &ldquo;crumple zone&rdquo; prevents any external damage to the can from damaging the internal electrode assembly. The invention facilitates passage of common OEM drop testing without compromising cell performance. The invention increases the reliability of the cell by allowing the cell to resist external impacts.

Impact resistant rechargeable battery cell with crumple zone

A method is provided for positioning an object (133) relative to a structural member (103). The method includes providing a first and second member (103, 113), a positioning member (123) with a first end (126) and a second end (124), and the object (133). The first end (126) is positioned proximal to the object (133), and a first energy director (107) is positioned between, and is in contact with, the first end (126) and the first member (103). A second energy director (125), having a slower characteristic melting rate than that of the first energy director (107), is positioned between, and is in contact with, the second end (124) and the second member (123). Energy is first imparted to cause at least one of the first and second energy directors (107, 125) to begin melting. Imparting the energy is discontinued after the first energy director (107) is substantially melted and the object (133) is properly positioned, while the second energy director (125) is not substantially melted.

Method for positioning an object relative to a structural member

A battery assembly (10) includes at least one battery cell (12) and a circuit carrier (15) in thermal proximity to the at least one battery cell (12). Located on circuit carrier (15) is a thermal fuse (18) which is formed from an electrically conductive resilient material such as beryllium copper. At least one end of the thermal fuse is coupled in a deflected state to a solder pad (20) located on circuit carrier (15) using a low temperature conductive adhesive such as low temperature solder (24). When the temperature of the at least one battery cell (12) reaches a predetermined trip point, the one end of the thermal fuse releases away from solder pad (20) due to the heat transfer from the at least one battery cell, thereby electrically disconnecting the at least one battery cell (12) from battery terminal (23).

Battery assembly having a thermal fuse

A removable battery package (10) having a latch mechanism (32) for attaching the battery package (10) to a radio (18) is provided. The battery package (10) comprises a housing (15) having an interior surface (30), an exterior surface (14) and sidewalls (16). Engagement means (32) are located on the interior surface (30) of the housing (15) for engaging a receiving means (22) located on the radio (18). Activating means are provided for activating the latch wherein the activating means comprises a recessed portion (12) located in the exterior surface (14) of the housing (15) transverse to the engagement means(32). The recessed portion (12) is designed so that by pressing the sidewalls (16) of the housing (15) a portion of the housing (24) is temporarily outwardly deformed thereby disengaging the engagement means (32).

Battery latch

An electrical energy source (5), comprises a power supply (14) located in a housing (16). The power supply has positive (22) and negative (24) terminals attached to it and to the exterior of the housing. Conductors (12) connect the power supply to the positive and negative terminals. The housing has one or more apertures (20) in it that correspond to the location of the power supply. A non-conductive film (36) having an adhesive portion (24) is adhesively bonded to both the power supply and the cover. The power supply can be one or more battery cells (10), and the housing typically consists of a top (18) and a bottom (20), each of which have openings that correspond to the battery cells. The cells are co-located with the openings so that the cylindrical wall (32) of the battery cell is tangent to the exterior (33) of the housing.

Unitized battery package

A battery package (22) for use in a battery identification system (10) comprises a housing, at least one energy storage device (21) contained within the housing and a reflecting device (24) coupled to an external portion of the housing for reflecting electromagnetic radiation towards an electronic product (12) having a electromagnetic radiation detector (16).

Battery identification system

A battery pack (12) for connection to an electronic product (10) having mating contacts (22, 24, 26, & 28) comprises a housing (11), an energy storage device (15) located within the housing for storing a charge, a first contact (38) and a second contact (36) coupled to the energy storage device and exposed externally from the housing. Circuitry couples to the energy storage device and provides at least the interconnection between the first and second contact and the energy storage device. Additionally, there is at least a third contact (34) exposed externally from the housing and coupled to at least one electronic device (42) within the housing. Finally, the battery pack has a connecting scheme for connecting the first and second contact of the battery pack to the product before the connection of the third contact to the mating contact on the electronic product.

Early recognition battery disconnect

A weldless battery pack (10) comprises a housing (14) having a flexible circuit (16) inserted within the housing. The flexible circuit has at least one spring contact (20) integrally formed on the flexible circuit. Inside the housing is a plurality of cells (12) interconnected by at least one of the spring contacts (20) formed on the flexible circuit.

Weldless surface mounted interconnect

An adhesive pad (100) is provided which has a shrinkable member (130) disposed on an adhesive member, including a film (110), and an adhesive layer (120). The shrinkable member (130) is responsive to heat to expose a portion of an adhesive surface (126) in response to heat.

Adhesive pad with a shrinkable layer

A battery (50) comprises a plurality of interconnected cells (56) each cell having a positive (60) and negative terminal (62) and a plurality of resistive fusible material (58) serving as interlinks interspersed between unlike terminals of the cells (56) in the plurality of interconnected cells.

Safe battery cell interconnects

A vented battery includes an aperture 108 in the battery housing 104 for venting built up gases inside of the vented battery 104. The aperture 108 is covered with a sintered metal vent 204. The sintered vent can be molded in the battery housing, staked to the housing, friction fitted into the aperture, or attached using other commonly known methods. In an alternate embodiment, a vented battery 200 has at least one battery contact 210 formed from sintered metal allowing for the venting of gases inside of housing 104. The battery contact 210 performs the dual function of allowing the battery 200 to be vented, and also act as electrical battery contacts which allow battery 200 to be connected to external devices. A communication device 300 includes a radio 302 that has a radio battery retainer 310, or other external housing member made from sintered metal thereby allowing for radio 302 to be vented.

Growing community of inventors

Sunrise, FL, United States of America

Russell E Gyenes