Having Polarity Safety Feature Patents (Class 429/1)
  • Publication number: 20150037615
    Abstract: An electronic device ensuring the polarity-correct installation of a battery includes a polarity-safe structure. The polarity-safe structure includes a fixing member located in a fixing groove and an elastic member secured in a receiving groove opposite to the fixing member. The battery cathode can be electrically coupled to the elastic member, but while the battery anode can be coupled to the fixing member, it cannot couple to the elastic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: JIAN-FENG XIAO, BIN HUANG
  • Patent number: 8841020
    Abstract: A battery comprises a battery case forming a substantially sealed enclosure and an electrode stack within the enclosure. The electrode stack includes a first set of electrode elements and a second set of electrode elements. The electrode elements in the second set alternate with the electrode elements in the first set within the electrode stack. A conductive tab extends from each of the electrode elements in the first and second sets, wherein each of the conductive tabs in the first set forms an aperture, wherein the apertures are coincident with each other. The battery further comprises a feedthrough including a feedthrough pin extending through the battery case and through each of the coincident apertures, wherein the feedthrough pin serves as a positive terminal for the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Viavattine
  • Publication number: 20140160715
    Abstract: A battery backup unit (BBU) system and apparatus is provided for securing and communicating with a BBU for use with optical network terminals (ONTs) and/or residential gateways. In various aspects, the BBU system is configured to eliminate the possibility for reversing the polarity of the backup battery. The BBU system also provides an integrated communication circuit for receiving a variety of connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher T. Wacker
  • Publication number: 20140057135
    Abstract: An electric storage device includes an electrode assembly, a case housing the electrode assembly, a plastic member arranged at an outer surface of the case and including a joining surface facing the outer surface of the case, an external terminal supported by the plastic member and electrically connected to the electrode assembly, a sealing member arranged at the outer surface of the case, the sealing member including a joining surface facing the outer surface of the case, and an auxiliary terminal supported by the sealing member, the auxiliary terminal extending from inside to outside the case, being electrically connected to the electrode assembly, and being electrically connected to the external terminal. The plastic member includes a material having a hardness greater than a hardness of the sealing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: KATSUHIKO OKAMOTO, SHINSUKE YOSHITAKE, JUN NAKAMURA, MASAKAZU TSUTSUMI, NOBUYUKI NAGANAWA
  • Publication number: 20140037993
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a pack body that includes a battery cell and that has an external shape substantially symmetric with respect to the horizontal and vertical axes, viewed from a front face on which terminals are arranged, and a terminal unit on the front face. The terminal unit includes a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a control terminal, and a temperature detection terminal for outputting temperature data. The positive terminal and the negative terminal are arranged on one side with respect to a center line in the width direction of the pack body. The control terminal is arranged symmetrically to the temperature detection terminal with respect to the center line in the width direction of the pack body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsukasa TAKAHASHI, Tomomichi Okada, Shoji Tatehata
  • Patent number: 8632898
    Abstract: A lithium battery for use in a vehicle includes a container, a plurality of positive terminals extending from a first end of the lithium battery, and a plurality of negative terminals extending from a second end of the lithium battery. The plurality of positive terminals are provided in a first configuration and the plurality of negative terminals are provided in a second configuration, the first configuration differing from the second configuration. A battery system for use in a vehicle may include a plurality of electrically connected lithium cells or batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dougherty, James S. Symanski, Joerg A. Kuempers, Uwe Koehler, Ronald C. Miles, Scott A. Hansen, Nels R. Smith, Majid Taghikhani, Edward N. Mrotek, Michael G. Andrew
  • Patent number: 8628879
    Abstract: Magnetic Resonance (MR) conditional medical equipment for use in MR environments. The MR conditional medical equipment includes MR conditional handheld battery operated devices, for example, laryngoscopes, flashlights, and the like, and MR conditional carbon zinc power packs for operating the devices. The devices can be designed to be inoperable by standard alkaline batteries which would render the medical equipment non MR conditional. Alternatively, the devices can have a sealed power pack compartment pre-installed with a non-replaceable carbon zinc power pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Truphatek International Ltd.
    Inventors: Eugeny Pecherer, Shiri Soffer
  • Patent number: 8614017
    Abstract: A battery comprises a battery case forming a substantially sealed enclosure and an electrode stack within the enclosure. The electrode stack includes a first set of electrode elements and a second set of electrode elements. The electrode elements in the second set alternate with the electrode elements in the first set within the electrode stack. In addition, the electrode elements include coincident alignment apertures. The coincident alignment apertures are configured to restrict rotation of the electrode elements to align the electrode elements when the alignment apertures are positioned over mating alignment protrusions during assembly of the electrode stack. The battery further comprises a feedthrough including a feedthrough pin extending through the battery case. The feedthrough pin is electrically coupled to the electrode stack and serves as a positive terminal for the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Viavattine
  • Publication number: 20130260181
    Abstract: Provided is a reverse connection preventing structure in a battery-driven object detection device, which has a simple structure capable of preventing reverse connection of even a battery whose projecting positive electrode is relatively lower in height. The structure has a holder for holding the battery including a first terminal for electrically connecting to a projecting positive electrode and a second terminal for electrically connecting to a negative electrode. The first terminal is formed in a printed circuit board. On the printed circuit board, an insulating member of less than 0.5 mm in thickness are provided around the circumference of the first terminal in such a manner as to allow the first terminal to come in contact with the positive electrode of the battery which is mounted correctly and as to prevent the first terminal from coming in contact with the negative electrode of the battery which is mounted reversely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: OPTEX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya NISHIMURA, Hiroyuki IKEDA
  • Patent number: 8512885
    Abstract: A battery includes a battery case including battery chemistry for supplying electricity, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; a first positive terminal, a first negative terminal, and a first insulator therebetween at the first end that together form a first positive terminal and negative terminal configuration; a second positive terminal, a second negative terminal, and a second insulator therebetween at the second end that together form a second positive terminal and negative terminal configuration, wherein the second positive terminal and the second negative terminal configuration is a mirror image of the first positive terminal and the first negative terminal configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: XGlow P/T, LLC
    Inventors: Richard S. Popper, Jensen Jorgensen
  • Publication number: 20130177782
    Abstract: A battery safety jig prevents a user from connecting battery lead terminals on incorrect posts of a battery. The positive and negative posts of the battery can be surrounded by connector jigs. The connector jigs provides an inner shape into which the battery post is disposed. Plate conductors, attached to battery lead terminals, can fit into the inner shapes defined by the connector jigs and attach to the battery posts. The inner shapes can be designed such that the positive plate conductor cannot fit into the negative connector jig and that the negative plate conductor cannot fit into the positive connector jig, thereby eliminating the possibility that the battery lead terminals would be connected to the improper battery post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Samuel Beresford Artley
  • Patent number: 8455120
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a secondary battery. The present invention is aimed to provide a secondary battery having a thin upper case formed of a metal. The secondary battery includes a bare cell; a protection circuit module having a circuit board; an upper case formed of a metal and having a cover plate for covering the circuit board of the protection circuit module; and a case-insulating layer formed on an external surface of the cover plate of the upper case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok Koh, Nohyun Kwag
  • Publication number: 20130136953
    Abstract: Fuel cell devices are provided having improved shrinkage properties between the active and non-active structures by modifying the material composition of the non-active structure, having a non-conductive, insulating barrier layer between the active structure and surface conductors that extend over the inactive surrounding support structure, having the width of one or both electrodes progressively change along the length, or having a porous ceramic layer between the anode and fuel passage and between the cathode and air passage. Another fuel cell device is provided having an internal multilayer active structure with electrodes alternating in polarity from top to bottom and external conductors on the top and/or bottom surface with sympathetic polarity to the respective top and bottom electrodes. A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell device having an enlarged attachment surface at one or both ends, which resides outside the system's heat source, insulated therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 8440333
    Abstract: A fuel cell is provided having excellent performance and being capable of achieving a sufficient buffer ability in a high-output operation when an enzyme is immobilized on at least one of a positive electrode and a negative electrode and of sufficiently exhibiting the ability inherent in the enzyme. A biofuel cell includes a structure in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are opposed to each other with an electrolyte layer containing a buffer material provided therebetween, an enzyme being immobilized on at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The electrolyte layer contains as the buffer material a compound including an imidazole ring. As the compound including an imidazole ring, imidazole, 1-methylimidazole, 2-methylimidazole, 4-methylimidazole, 2-ethylimidazole, or the like is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takaai Nakagawa, Hideki Sakai, Taiki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8431260
    Abstract: The invention concerns an interconnection system (100) of an energy storage assembly (200), with an electronic support for controlling (300) the health status of the energy storage assembly (200), the interconnection system (101) being characterized in that it comprises an interconnection support (101) including a conductive circuit (800) formed on electrically conductive surface, said circuit (800) forming an electrical connection between the electronic control support (300) and the pole terminals (500) of the cells to which it is connected, respectively, through connecting means and through retaining means (110, 120, 150), said retaining means (110, 120, 150) being adapted to urged into contact, on the pole terminals (500), with support means (510) so as to arrange the pole terminals (500) on the interconnection support (101) and adapted to provide a direct electrical connection of the pole terminals (500) with the conductive circuit (800).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Batscap
    Inventor: Luc Nedelec
  • Patent number: 8378629
    Abstract: A battery receptacle system is provided to accept various types or sizes of batteries in different orientations. The battery receptacle system includes a first radial notch for positioning a first positive terminal of a first battery to electrically connect with the first positive contact at a first position, and a second radial notch for positioning a second positive terminal of a second battery of a different size and/or type than the first battery to electrically connect with the first positive contact at a second position, different from the first position. The second radial notch is configured to prevent the first positive terminal of the first battery from electrically connecting with the first positive contact at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Glen C. Larsen
  • Patent number: 8288024
    Abstract: A power supply pack structure includes a battery set having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, a battery case housing the battery set, a total positive cable having both ends connected to the positive terminal and an apparatus, respectively, and a total negative cable having both ends connected to the negative terminal and the apparatus, respectively. The battery case has an opening formed therein for accessing the apparatus. In the state where the apparatus is not disposed in the battery case, at least one of a condition that length L1 of the total positive cable is shorter than the shortest distance between the positive terminal and the opening and a condition that length L2 of the total negative cable is shorter than the shortest distance between the negative terminal and the opening is satisfied. This configuration provides a power supply pack structure that prevents the cable from being accidentally touched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Hayashi, Hiroharu Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20120177952
    Abstract: A battery cell separator includes rib supports and ribs connected between the rib supports. The rib supports and the ribs form a cartridge pocket configured to receive a battery cell with the rib supports and the ribs each forming a respective side of the cartridge pocket. In another battery module, the rib supports and the ribs form respective pockets fore and aft of the ribs with each pocket being configured to receive a battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, Saravanan Paramasivam, James George Gebbie, Brian Utley
  • Publication number: 20120009442
    Abstract: A power accumulator (1) has at least three contacts (5 and 7), the contacts (5 and 7) being partially positive contacts (5) and partially negative contacts (7). The contacts (5 and 7) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the external shape of the power accumulator (1), especially with respect to a longitudinal center plane (3) thereof. In this way, the power accumulator (1) can be inserted in any alignment into a device (consumer or charger) without the danger that the power accumulator (1) will be connected with incorrect polarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Alexander Sitte
  • Publication number: 20110117389
    Abstract: A battery receptacle system is provided to accept various types or sizes of batteries in different orientations. The battery receptacle system includes a first radial notch for positioning a first positive terminal of a first battery to electrically connect with the first positive contact at a first position, and a second radial notch for positioning a second positive terminal of a second battery of a different size and/or type than the first battery to electrically connect with the first positive contact at a second position, different from the first position. The second radial notch is configured to prevent the first positive terminal of the first battery from electrically connecting with the first positive contact at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: c/o Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Glen C. Larsen
  • Patent number: 7897275
    Abstract: An electrical rechargeable battery having positive and negative electrodes arranged in a housing with separators between them, and having an electrolyte, at least one end pole is surrounded by a contact protection device in the form of a wall which surrounds the end pole, can rotate freely and is composed of insulating material. Electrical contact can be made only from above through a slot in the contact protection device, which surrounds the end pole. The end pole is protected against direct contact from above by means of an electrically insulating pole cap, which is screwed to the end pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: VB Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Peter Streuer, Christian Rosenkranz, Gerolf Richter
  • Patent number: 7898213
    Abstract: A multi-battery charger for at least one rechargeable battery includes a charger case, and a multi-battery charging module. The charger case includes a plurality of electrically neutral charging terminals spacedly provided thereon, and an electric input terminal adapted for electrically connecting with an external DC power source. The multi-battery charging module is provided in the charger case to electrically communicate with the charging terminals, and includes a recharging circuitry and a polarity detection circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Hung Hi Law
  • Patent number: 7884573
    Abstract: A battery receptacle system is provided to accept various types or sizes of batteries in different orientations. The battery receptacle system includes a first radial notch for positioning a first positive terminal of a first battery to electrically connect with the first positive contact at a first position, and a second radial notch for positioning a second positive terminal of a second battery of a different size and/or type than the first battery to electrically connect with the first positive contact at a second position, different from the first position. The second radial notch is configured to prevent the first positive terminal of the first battery from electrically connecting with the first positive contact at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Glen C. Larsen
  • Patent number: 7857658
    Abstract: A connector is provided for electrically coupling a battery with a battery-powered device. The connector includes a first dual-contact assembly and a second dual-contact assembly. Each of the dual-contact assemblies includes a positive contact for contacting a positive PP3 terminal of a PP3 battery, and a negative contact for contacting a negative PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery. Each dual-contact assembly is configured so that, when the dual-contact assembly is physically engaged with either of the PP3 battery terminals, one of the contacts of the dual-contact assembly electrically engages the PP3 battery terminal, while the other of the contacts of the dual-contact assembly is electrically insulated from the PP3 battery terminal. Accordingly, the PP3 battery may be installed in either of two valid connection states relative to the connector, in which appropriate electrical connectivity is provided via the connector to a device to be powered by the PP3 battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Glen C. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20100310905
    Abstract: A battery assembly (100) is disclosed having an enclosure (102) with a top (104) and sides (102), one of the sides (108) having an opening (110) for receiving the batteries (112) therein. A plurality of batteries (112) in electrical communication with one another are disposed within the enclosure (102). Each of the batteries (112) has a pair of parallel tubular openings (116, 118) extending through the batteries, with one of the tubular openings (116) being in electrical communication with the positive pole (120) of the battery (112) and the other of the tubular openings (118) being in electrical communication with the negative pole (122) of the battery (112). When the batteries (112) are aligned with one another within the enclosure (102), each of the positive tubular openings (116) are axially aligned with each other and each of the negative tubular openings (118) are axially aligned with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Leo P. Oriet, Jules Cazabon
  • Publication number: 20100304188
    Abstract: A battery carriage is provided, including first and second dual-contact assemblies. The first dual contact assembly is disposed on a body portion of the battery carriage and the second dual contact assembly is disposed on a separable portion of the battery carriage. Each dual contact assembly includes a positive contact configured to contact a positive terminal of a battery and a negative contact configured to contact a negative terminal of the battery. The separable portion of the battery carriage is selectively moveable into and out of a coupled state with the body portion. When the separable portion is moved into the coupled state, the dual contact assemblies are held spaced apart to define a receptacle in which the dual contact assemblies hold opposing ends of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Glen C. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20100173178
    Abstract: A battery module according to the present invention includes rechargeable batteries that include a first terminal and a second terminal which protrude outward, the first terminal including differentiation portions formed of an indentation or a protruding portion to differentiate the first terminal from the second terminal; and connection members that electrically connect the rechargeable batteries, fixed to the first and second terminals of adjacent rechargeable batteries, including verification portions which fit the differentiation portions so as to improve assemblability and minimize contact resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Sung-Bae Kim, Yong-Sam Kim, Dae-Won Han, Sang-Won Byun, Byung-Kyu Ahn
  • Publication number: 20100167094
    Abstract: This invention relates to a battery structure with improved safety. The battery structure includes: at least two batteries disposed axially parallel to each other, positive terminals thereof facing opposite directions, negative terminals thereof facing opposite directions; an insulating material covering each of the batteries; and a connecting member provided at an end of the at least two batteries for connecting the positive terminal of one of the batteries with the negative terminal of the other battery. The connecting member includes: a negative terminal connector attached to the other battery so as to come into contact with the negative terminal of the other battery; and a bus bar connected at one end portion thereof to the positive terminal of the one battery. The negative terminal connector has a socket into which the other end portion of the bus bar is to be inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya Geshi, Yasunori Uchida, Masahiko Katou, Shintaro Shimizu, Fuminori Ozaki
  • Patent number: 7714534
    Abstract: Multiple function current-sharing charging systems and methods are provided. Where first and second rechargeable power supplies are connected to a charging system, a first charging current is provided to the first rechargeable power supply and a second charging current is provided to the second rechargeable power supply. Upon detection of a predetermined charge level of one of the rechargeable power supplies, a third charging current is provided to the first rechargeable power supply and a fourth charging current is provided to the second rechargeable power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Ryan M. Bayne, Felipe O. Simoes, Colin N. Todd
  • Patent number: 7635535
    Abstract: A battery pack having a battery in which a battery case and a cap of a sealing plate sealing an open end of the battery case serve as connection electrodes of opposite polarities, a terminal unit including external connection terminals respectively connected to these connection electrodes and an insulating cover integrally formed therewith, the terminal unit covering at least one end of the battery case, and a resilient member interposed between one end of the battery case and the terminal unit in a compressed state. In the manufacturing method of this battery pack, the dimension between the terminal unit and the other end of the battery case is controlled when fixing the terminal unit with the battery case. The battery pack thus has a simple and low cost configuration and yet exhibits high reliability in terms of the connection state of the external connection terminals when set in a portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Ebi, Kenjin Masumoto, Toshiharu Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 7632581
    Abstract: A battery box includes a housing, a positive electrode member, and a negative electrode member. The housing includes a receiving space in a side thereof for receiving at least one battery therein. The receiving space defines two slots at opposite ends thereof. The positive electrode member is mounted to the housing and includes two positive electrode terminals each located at a corresponding one of the slots of the housing, respectively. The negative electrode member is mounted to the housing and includes two negative electrode terminals extending into the receiving space of the housing and each at a side of a corresponding slot of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Yi Wu, Ke Sun, Zhen-Xing Ye, Xiao-Zhu Chen
  • Publication number: 20090252994
    Abstract: The invention described here is a modular energy system for electric vehicles. This modular electrical power system is comprised of a group of battery packs, a rack, and a charging and exchange station. Each battery pack fits into a case that has a handle to make it easy to grasp and lift from its holder. Battery packs are limited to no more than thirty pounds each. The battery packs are installed in a rack which is secured to the vehicle. The rack has defined positions or slots in which the battery packs are placed. The battery pack includes heat sinks to remove the heat from the batteries. The charging and exchange station allows the user two options; 1) recharge the vehicle while parked without removing the batteries, or 2) exchange the vehicles batteries for fully charged packs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: Alexander Livingston
  • Patent number: 7550213
    Abstract: A tool system with a battery pack and a device that is configured to be selectively coupled to the battery pack. The battery pack has first, second and third pack terminals. The device has a battery mount with a body that defines a well and first and second device terminals. The body defines a well into which the battery pack is removably received. The first and second device terminals extend outwardly from a proximal portion of the battery mount and engage the first and second pack terminals when the battery pack is fully inserted into the well. At least one of the first and second pack terminals and the first and second device terminals is a male terminal that is received into a corresponding one of the first and second pack terminals and the first and second device terminals. A longitudinal axis of each of the first, second and third pack terminals is arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Dale K. Wheeler, Robert G. Moores, Jr., Richard T. Walter
  • Publication number: 20090130493
    Abstract: Embodiments of battery holders with dual-contact assemblies are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a battery holder with a substrate and a spring dual-contact assembly, wherein the spring dual-contact assembly comprises a positive contact configured to contact a positive terminal of a battery positioned in the battery holder with the positive terminal oriented toward the spring dual-contact assembly and a negative contact configured to contact a negative terminal of a battery positioned in the battery holder with the negative terminal oriented toward the spring dual-contact assembly. The positive and negative contacts are coupled to an insulator configured to hold the positive contact and negative contact in a fixed relation to one another. Further, one or more cantilever wire springs hold the negative contact, positive contact and insulator in a resiliently displaceable relationship to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Glen C. Larsen
  • Patent number: 7494368
    Abstract: A DC adapter that can be housed in a battery housing portion of an electronic apparatus selectively with a primary and secondary battery. The DC adapter is connected to an AC/DC converter and is inserted into a battery housing portion of an electronic apparatus so as to supply the electronic apparatus with a DC power, wherein a substantially cylindrical adapter main body has an insertion limiting portion which is guided by an insertion guide portion of the battery housing portion when the DC adapter is inserted into the battery housing portion with the proper polarity, and comes into contact with the contact portion of the battery housing portion when the DC adapter is inserted into the battery housing portion with the reversed polarity so as to limit the insertion of the DC adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Noguchi, Masumi Iohara, Yuri Okumura, Yoichi Miyajima, Hideaki Abe
  • Publication number: 20090035607
    Abstract: The invention concerns an interconnection system (100) of an energy storage assembly (200), with an electronic support for controlling (300) the health status of the energy storage assembly (200), the interconnection system (101) being characterized in that it comprises an interconnection support (101) including a conductive circuit (800) formed on electrically conductive surface, said circuit (800) forming an electrical connection between the electronic control support (300) and the pole terminals (500) of the cells to which it is connected, respectively, through connecting means and through retaining means (110, 120, 150), said retaining means (110, 120, 150) being adapted to urged into contact, on the pole terminals (500), with support means (510) so as to arrange the pole terminals (500) on the interconnection support (101) and adapted to provide a direct electrical connection of the pole terminals (500) with the conductive circuit (800).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Luc Nedelec
  • Publication number: 20080292910
    Abstract: A battery module includes a top cover and a bottom cover affixed together to accommodate a battery set, which has a conducting terminal device exposed out of the bottom cover for the connection of an external electronic device, and a movable member supported on the top surface of the bottom cover and held in a first position by spring members to block the through holes of the bottom cover and movable from the first position to a second position to open the through holes of the bottom cover for ventilation to dissipate heat when the battery module is connected to an external electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: MOBILETRON ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kim Y. C. Tsai, Cheng-I Teng
  • Publication number: 20080268296
    Abstract: Battery carriages are provided herein that interface with batteries in the correct polarization, regardless of the orientation in which the batteries are inserted in the battery carriages. Such battery carriages may be advantageously used with any device that uses batteries. Such a device may include two or more battery carriages, wherein each of the battery carriages includes first and second dual-contact assemblies disposed on a substrate. Each of the two dual-contact assemblies may have a positive contact and a negative contact. The positive contacts may each be configured to contact a positive terminal of a battery and to be connected to a positive circuit connection, and the negative contacts may each be configured to contact a negative terminal of a battery and to be connected to a negative circuit connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Glen C. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20080169787
    Abstract: An exemplary charger control circuit includes an input port having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, an electrode control circuit, and an output port having a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The input port is connected to a source of power. The output port is connected to a load. The electrode switching circuit detects the electrode polarity of the input port and the output port for selectively coupling the positive terminals and the negative terminals of the two ports, and protecting the electrical equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih HSIEH
  • Patent number: 7390214
    Abstract: A wireless battery snap without any electrical wires leading out and which has at least one button with exposed metal for use in an electrical device for connecting the battery, making it safer in use. The battery snap comprises an insulating support, conductive eyelets, cylindrical socket and plug electrodes, a spring, a contact plate, an insulating sheet and insulating cover. At least two electrode holes and a protruded base, posts and side walls are provided in the insulating support for securing the contact plate, spring, conductive eyelets and insulating cover. The socket and plug electrodes are held onto the battery snap by two conductive eyelets on the insulating support and fastened together with the spring and contact plate. Two button electrodes of the battery disposed on the socket and plug electrodes respectively are connected to the contact plate on the insulating support and spring or two contact poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Inventor: Pui Hong Tsiang
  • Patent number: 7354301
    Abstract: A DC adapter that can be housed in a battery housing portion of an electronic apparatus selectively with a primary and secondary battery. The DC adapter is connected to an AC/DC converter and is inserted into a battery housing portion of an electronic apparatus so as to supply the electronic apparatus with a DC power, wherein a substantially cylindrical adapter main body has an insertion limiting portion which is guided by an insertion guide portion of the battery housing portion when the DC adapter is inserted into the battery housing portion with the proper polarity, and comes into contact with the contact portion of the battery housing portion when the DC adapter is inserted into the battery housing portion with the reversed polarity so as to limit the insertion of the DC adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Noguchi, Masumi Iohara, Yuri Okumura, Yoichi Miyajima, Hideaki Abe
  • Patent number: 7342360
    Abstract: A handheld flashlight includes a head that pivots relative to a body. Three legs pivotally connect to the body and open into a tripod to support the head in an elevated position. The legs are spring-biased toward the open tripod position and are selectively held closed by a detent mechanism. In the closed position, the legs form a flashlight handle that is aligned with an illumination direction of the head and is shaped and sized to be held in the hand of an operator. Each of the three legs contain battery source holders for battery sources that connect to each other in parallel. Diodes are disposed in series with each battery source to prevent the parallel battery sources from discharging each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventors: Gary Van Deursen, Michael Kwok Ying Chan
  • Publication number: 20070243423
    Abstract: A non-directional connection module is described for connecting with a battery. The non-directional connection module uses a first conductive element to connect the positive pole of the battery, and a second conductive element to connect the negative pole of the battery. An insulation element is positioned between the first conductive element and the second conductive element. Both the second conductive element and the insulation element have respective holes. The positive pole of the battery can pass through the holes, but the negative pole of the battery cannot pass through the holes. In this light, the present invention uses the non-directional connection module to connect the battery so that there is no consideration of the positive or negative poles of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventor: Chin-Hsin Ho
  • Patent number: 7193389
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a housing part in which a battery is housed and a body-side connector for connecting the battery housed in the housing part to an apparatus body. When a battery-side connector connected to the battery through a connecting cable is connected to the body-side connector, the battery is connected to the apparatus body. A label is affixed on the body near the body-side connector. Provided on the label is a connector-connection indication which indicates an orientation of the battery-side connector to be connected along with a battery-housing indication which indicates a shape and a housing orientation of the battery to be housed in the housing part. This provides a guiding indication easy to view and understand, allowing a smooth, correct connection between the battery and the apparatus body through the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hakudai Kondo
  • Patent number: 7157182
    Abstract: In order to enable the safer use of an assembly of multiple cells comprising: a plurality of unit cells; an outer container for housing the unit cells; a terminal plate for sealing an upper opening of the outer container; and a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal formed on the same face of the terminal plate, at least the side face of the negative output terminal is covered by a protective tube having an electrical insulation property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Wada, Susumu Kato, Yasushi Sumihiro, Kenji Yamamoto, Yuji Mototani, Ryohei Ashihara
  • Patent number: 7118817
    Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for preventing applying a reverse polarity voltage to an electronic circuit from a coin cell used to power such circuit by providing a first insulating wafer over the top conductive surface of a coin cell and a second insulating wafer over the bottom conductive surface of the cell. The first wafer has a central opening and the second wafer is designed to cover the portion of the bottom conductive surface corresponding to the opening of the first wafer so that when the two wafers of the protection system are placed over the coin cell with the first wafer and the insulating area positioned on the top and bottom conductive surfaces respectively, the insulating area extends fully under the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: 3SI Security Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Bartholf, Michael Larry Poorbaugh
  • Patent number: 7081318
    Abstract: A battery container capable of stably accommodating AA type batteries, a CRV3 battery, and a customized battery manufactured for exclusively use with a particular device. The battery container includes a main body which accommodates two AA type batteries, one CRV3 battery, or one customized battery wider than the CRV3 battery and having a first wrong-insertion preventing element in a lateral extension portion, and a cover which is opened or closed to allow a battery to be inserted into or drawn out of the main body and which keeps the battery in the main body during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-tae Lee, Min-soo Oh
  • Patent number: 7008721
    Abstract: A lithium battery (1) has a battery module (2), a battery package (5) for holding the battery module (2) therein, and leads (4) extending from the battery module (2) and projecting outside from the battery package (5). The battery package (5) is formed from a laminated sheet (10), and a peripheral part (9) of the battery package (5) is heat-sealed. Lead-insulating films (6) are interposed between the peripheral part (9) of the package (5) and the leads (4). Each of the lead-insulating films includes a heat-resistant base film (22), a polyolefin resin layer (21) formed on one of the surfaces of the base film (22) on the side of the laminated sheet (10), and an acid-modified polyolefin resin layer (23) formed on the other surface of the base film (22) on the side of the lead (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rikiya Yamashita, Kazuki Yamada, Masataka Okushita
  • Patent number: 6958199
    Abstract: A battery is provided with a battery body and a single input-output terminal fixed thereto which has a positive terminal and a negative terminal electrically insulated from each other. Because of such a structure of the battery, it can be easily connected to an electric appliance using the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Nemoto
  • Patent number: 6917183
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack for a surgical powered instrument. The battery pack is an assembly of individual cylindrical battery cells and has its electrical terminals in the form of sockets recessed within the body of the pack in the interstices between the cells. The terminal sockets are adapted to receive elongated plugs and enable the pack to be handled while minimizing the risk of shorting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Linvatec Corporation
    Inventors: B. Alex Barlev, Eric N. Stubkjaer