Thin-Film Auxiliary Battery Placement for Compact Battery Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer-electronic devices face challenges in achieving both smaller form factors and longer battery life due to limited interior volume, making it difficult to efficiently utilize space for batteries and other components, especially with conventional battery shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
The use of a primary lithium-ion battery in conjunction with a thin-film auxiliary battery, where the auxiliary battery is positioned along the surface of the primary battery to fill unused space and provide additional energy storage, accommodating interconnects and other components, and can be flexible to accommodate swelling during charging/discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a conventional battery is used to power consumer-electronic devices, then the device can operate, but the interior volume is insufficient to accommodate both the battery and other components while maintaining a compact form factor
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into two separate batteries: a primary battery and an auxiliary thin-film battery. This segmentation allows each battery to be optimized for different functions and space requirements, enabling the auxiliary battery to occupy unused surface areas while the primary battery provides main power storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary thin-film battery is positioned along the surface of the primary battery rather than occupying only internal volume. This dimensional transition from purely internal placement to surface-along placement utilizes previously unused space, effectively increasing battery capacity without proportionally increasing device volume.
2Length of moving object
If the battery shape is constrained by device dimensions, then the device maintains a compact form factor, but the battery capacity is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary battery extends along the surface of the primary battery in a dimensional direction that does not increase the device's overall length, width, or height. This allows additional battery capacity to be added without compromising the compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary thin-film battery is strategically positioned in local areas along the primary battery surface where space is available, such as along edges or in irregular gaps. This localized placement optimizes space utilization without requiring uniform expansion of the entire battery assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If rigid battery structures are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but irregular-shaped cavities and non-uniform spaces within the device cannot be efficiently utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary battery employs a thin-film structure that is inherently more flexible and adaptable in shape compared to conventional rigid batteries. This flexibility allows the battery to conform to irregular cavities and non-uniform spaces within the device, efficiently utilizing available volume that would otherwise remain empty.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to multiple battery configurations for space utilization. One embodiment includes a device. The device includes a primary battery. The device also includes an auxiliary battery configured to supply auxiliary electrical power. A first surface of the auxiliary battery is positioned along a first surface of the primary battery. The auxiliary battery is a thin-film battery. The first surface of the auxiliary battery has a smaller area than the first surface of the primary battery.