Flexible Battery Closure Structure for Swelling Accommodation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in mobile electronics is to accommodate the expansion and contraction of batteries over time without increasing the device's size, as batteries swell significantly during charging and discharging cycles, posing issues for manufacturers aiming to create smaller and thinner devices.

Innovation Solution

A computing device design featuring a recessed battery compartment with a rigid back surface and a closure member having both rigid and flexible portions, allowing the battery to expand and contract dynamically without occupying excessive space, using a flexible closure member to accommodate the battery's expansion while maintaining the device's integrity and preventing unintended movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid battery compartment is used to maintain device structure, then device structural integrity is improved, but battery expansion and contraction causes gaps and unintended movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structural integrityVSAvoidbattery position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The closure member transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with flexible portions that can move and deform. The flexible portion allows the closure member to adapt its shape and position as the battery expands and contracts, maintaining continuous contact and preventing gaps while preserving overall device structural integrity through the rigid portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If extra space is provided for battery expansion, then battery swelling is accommodated, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery expansion accommodationVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The closure member incorporates a flexible portion that acts as a deformable barrier, allowing the structure to accommodate battery volume changes without requiring additional space. The flexible material can stretch and deform to accommodate battery swelling during charging cycles, then return to its original shape, effectively managing battery expansion within the same device footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible closure member is used to accommodate battery expansion, then battery swelling is permitted, but device structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery expansion adaptabilityVSAvoiddevice structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The closure member is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid portion that maintains structural integrity and a flexible portion that accommodates battery expansion. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specialized function - the rigid portion provides structural support while the flexible portion provides adaptation - without compromising the overall device strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure member combines materials with different mechanical properties - rigid materials for structural portions and flexible materials for adaptive portions. This composite construction allows the closure member to simultaneously provide structural support and expansion accommodation, resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Manufacturing precision

If the closure member is made entirely rigid, then device manufacturing precision is improved, but battery expansion creates gaps and movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure member fabrication precisionVSAvoidbattery containment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows the battery to expand and contract without creating unnecessary gaps, maintaining the device's thin profile and preventing damage from impacts, while ensuring the battery remains securely contained and protected.

Implementation Method 1

a closure member having a rigid portion and a flexible portion, wherein a periphery of the closure member is coupled to a peripheral edge of the recessed battery compartment, the flexible portion to permit the rigid portion to move relative to the frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11811078B2Flexible battery containment

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A computing device is disclosed. The computing device has a frame including a recessed battery compartment, the recessed battery compartment having a rigid back surface. The computing device further has a closure member having a rigid portion and a flexible portion, wherein a periphery of the closure member is coupled to a peripheral edge of the recessed battery compartment, the flexible portion to permit the rigid portion to move relative to the frame. The computing device further has a battery coupled to one or more of the battery compartment and the closure member, the battery oriented between and substantially adjacent to the rigid back surface of the battery compartment and the closure member.