Abstract: A battery pack is provided that can better manage peak current of in a converged portable radio. The battery pack comprises an internal Li-Ion cell stack characterized by a linear output voltage curve. A DC-DC converter converts the internal cell stack voltage to a desired DC-DC converter output voltage. The output voltage and current sourcing capability of the battery pack remain constant over the full cell discharge curve. The battery pack optimizes cell utilization, without the use of any internal microprocessor, thereby supporting the operation of simultaneous high peak current application features associated with LMR and LTE.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided that can better manage peak current of in a converged portable radio. The battery pack comprises an internal Li-Ion cell stack characterized by a linear output voltage curve. A DC-DC converter converts the internal cell stack voltage to a desired DC-DC converter output voltage. The output voltage and current sourcing capability of the battery pack remain constant over the full cell discharge curve. The battery pack optimizes cell utilization, without the use of any internal microprocessor, thereby supporting the operation of simultaneous high peak current application features associated with LMR and LTE.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided with an improved interface through the use of an endcap which forms a top surface of a battery pack housing. The endcap includes a walled aperture for a connector. The connector along with electronic circuitry is disposed on a printed circuit board located beneath the endcap. A dam of UV glue surrounds a perimeter of the connector preventing the potting compound from intruding into contacts. An endcap perimeter rim of UV glue seals the endcap to the housing. The endcap further includes an injection port and flow directors for guiding a potting compound into the endcap to form a water tight seal.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided with an improved charger interface through the use a contact carrier assembly. The non-conductive contact carrier aligns and retains a plurality of charger contacts. The carrier aligns a first portion of each charger contact along a back surface of the battery pack housing and further facilitates alignment of another portion of each charger contact within bottom apertures of the housing thereby allowing each contact to extend across perpendicular back and bottom surfaces of the housing with improved ruggedness. Improved sealing is also provided by sealing the back of the carrier.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided with an improved interface through the use of an endcap which forms a top surface of a battery pack housing. The endcap includes a walled aperture for a connector. The connector along with electronic circuitry is disposed on a printed circuit board located beneath the endcap. A dam of UV glue surrounds a perimeter of the connector preventing the potting compound from intruding into contacts. An endcap perimeter rim of UV glue seals the endcap to the housing. The endcap further includes an injection port and flow directors for guiding a potting compound into the endcap to form a water tight seal.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided with an improved charger interface through the use a contact carrier assembly. The non-conductive contact carrier aligns and retains a plurality of charger contacts. The carrier aligns a first portion of each charger contact along a back surface of the battery pack housing and further facilitates alignment of another portion of each charger contact within bottom apertures of the housing thereby allowing each contact to extend across perpendicular back and bottom surfaces of the housing with improved ruggedness. Improved sealing is also provided by sealing the back of the carrier.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery includes detecting, with an electronic processor, a presence of the battery coupled to a charging interface. The method includes receiving, with the electronic processor, a command, the command including a charge mode. The method includes, in response to receiving the command, controlling a charging circuit coupled to the charging interface to charge the battery to a predetermined level based on the charge mode. The method includes, when the battery reaches the predetermined charge level, sending a battery control command, based on the charge mode, to control an active limiting circuit of the battery via a single wire data line coupled to the charging interface.

Abstract: A latch apparatus is formed of a cantilevered beam (202) and a button (204). The cantilevered beam (202) comprises a loading feature (210) and a notch (216), while the button (204) comprises a slot (218) and an engagement tab (220). When mounted within a cavity of a housing, the cantilevered beam and button provide both push-in and side sliding movement of the button. The latch is locked by sliding the button in one direction, and the latch is unlocked by pushing the button inward and then sliding the button in an opposite direction. The housing may further comprise an angled catch feature within the cavity for mating with a complimentary angle of the button to avoid inadvertent unlocking of the latch. The combination of push in force and side sliding force minimizes inadvertent unlocking of the latch assembly.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery includes detecting, with an electronic processor, a presence of the battery coupled to a charging interface. The method includes receiving, with the electronic processor, a command, the command including a charge mode. The method includes, in response to receiving the command, controlling a charging circuit coupled to the charging interface to charge the battery to a predetermined level based on the charge mode. The method includes, when the battery reaches the predetermined charge level, sending a battery control command, based on the charge mode, to control an active limiting circuit of the battery via a single wire data line coupled to the charging interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and responding to cell swell in one or more cells of a battery includes receiving one or more indications of cell swell from switching circuitry associated with a cell, determining if the battery is fit for purpose based on the one or more indications, and performing an action responsive to the one or more indications and whether the battery is fit for purpose.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for wirelessly charging are provided within a vehicular environment. The wireless charging system comprises a seatbelt receptacle containing a transmit coil integrated therein for transmitting a charging signal to a battery or powering a battery operated device. A repeater coil can be wirelessly coupled to the transmit coil via the seatbelt's buckle, as a buckle repeater coil or a retrofit cover repeater coil. Additional repeater coils may be added to a shoulder strap, a lap strap, or other portions of the seat belt harness for additional charging points. The additional repeater coils are slideable to adjust for different body sizes. One or more portable devices having receive coils can be charged or powered wirelessly from the transmit coil in the seatbelt receptacle, the repeater coil of the seatbelt buckle or cover, and/or the additional adjustable strap repeater coils.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for wirelessly charging are provided within a vehicular environment. The wireless charging system (500) comprises a seatbelt receptacle (102) containing a transmit coil (104) integrated therein for transmitting a charging signal to a battery or powering a battery operated device. A repeater coil (506) may be wirelessly coupled to the transmit coil (104) via the seatbelt's buckle, as a buckle repeater coil (206) or a retrofit cover repeater coil (308). Additional repeater coils (514, 524) may be added to a shoulder strap (510), lap strap (520), or other portions of the seat belt harness for additional charging points. The additional repeater coils (514, 524) are slideable to adjust for different body sizes. One or more portable devices having receive coils can be charged or powered wirelessly from the transmit coil (104) in the seatbelt receptacle (102), the repeater coil (506) of the seatbelt buckle or cover, and/or the additional adjustable strap repeater coils (514, 524).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for visually indicating battery pack information related to wirelessly charging a battery pack via a wireless charging mat. The method includes uniquely associating, with a controller of the wireless charging mat, each visual indicator of a first plurality of visual indicators on the wireless charging mat with one of a first plurality of sensors on the wireless charging mat. The method further includes receiving the battery pack information from the battery pack with one or more of the first plurality of sensors. The method further includes wirelessly charging the battery pack using the wireless charging mat, and illuminating the first plurality of visual indicators based on the battery pack information.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe battery pack assembly (200) is formed by disposing electrical components (208) on a single side of a printed circuit board (PCB) (210) and coating the component side of the PCB with a low pressure molded encapsulation (220). The bottom surface of the PCB provides interface contacts for a charger and radio. The LPM encapsulation is formed over the top side of the PCB to cover the electrical components at a predetermined height set to be at the height of the tallest component. The top surface of the PCB having the electrical components and LPM encapsulation (220) is oriented to face the plurality of battery cells within the battery pack (200).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and responding to cell swell in one or more cells of a battery includes receiving one or more indications of cell swell from switching circuitry associated with a cell, determining if the battery is fit for purpose based on the one or more indications, and performing an action responsive to the one or more indications and whether the battery is fit for purpose.

Abstract: A latch apparatus is formed of a cantilevered beam (202) and a button (204). The cantilevered beam (202) comprises a loading feature (210) and a notch (216), while the button (204) comprises a slot (218) and an engagement tab (220). When mounted within a cavity of a housing, the cantilevered beam and button provide both push-in and side sliding movement of the button. The latch is locked by sliding the button in one direction, and the latch is unlocked by pushing the button inward and then sliding the button in an opposite direction. The housing may further comprise an angled catch feature within the cavity for mating with a complimentary angle of the button to avoid inadvertent unlocking of the latch. The combination of push in force and side sliding force minimizes inadvertent unlocking of the latch assembly.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe battery pack assembly (200) is formed by disposing electrical components (208) on a single side of a printed circuit board (PCB) (210) and coating the component side of the PCB with a low pressure molded encapsulation (220). The bottom surface of the PCB provides interface contacts for a charger and radio. The LPM encapsulation is formed over the top side of the PCB to cover the electrical components at a predetermined height set to be at the height of the tallest component. The top surface of the PCB having the electrical components and LPM encapsulation (220) is oriented to face the plurality of battery cells within the battery pack (200).

Abstract: An improved electrical interconnect member for rechargeable battery packs is provided. The interconnect member includes a metal tab and a plastic housing. The metal tab preferably includes side bends projecting below the tab in a non-perpendicular geometric orientation with the top of the tab. The tab includes at least one lance for preventing post-assembly, lateral movement between the tab and housing. The housing is preferably Y-shaped, with the outer surfaces of the Y having concave curvatures. The concave curvatures allow the housing to seat between adjoining, cylindrical cells. The housing includes a rail with a cross section that corresponds to the area between the side bends and the top of the tab. The housing also includes a post for coupling to the lances.

Abstract: An improved electrical interconnect member for rechargeable battery packs is provided. The interconnect member includes a metal tab and a plastic housing. The metal tab preferably includes side bends projecting below the tab in a non-perpendicular geometric orientation with the top of the tab. The tab includes at least one lance for preventing post-assembly, lateral movement between the tab and housing. The housing is preferably Y-shaped, with the outer surfaces of the Y having concave curvatures. The concave curvatures allow the housing to seat between adjoining, cylindrical cells. The housing includes a rail with a cross section that corresponds to the area between the side bends and the top of the tab. The housing also includes a post for coupling to the lances.