Non-uniform Battery Cell Design for Compact Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery cells with uniform structures face challenges in accommodating varying sizes and configurations, limiting their integration in electronic devices with unique form factors, such as thinner laptop designs where space is constrained.

Innovation Solution

The development of non-uniform battery cells comprising elements of different heights, paired with custom bus bars of corresponding dimensions, allowing for efficient electrical connection and packaging in compact spaces within electronic devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional uniform battery cells are used, then manufacturing and packaging are simplified, but the ability to accommodate varying sizes and configurations in electronic devices is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of varying sizes and configurationsVSAvoidbattery cell structure uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating battery cells with non-uniform characteristics - specifically, cells where different portions have different heights. This allows the battery to be customized for specific spatial requirements within electronic devices while maintaining a single integrated cell structure, thus improving adaptability without requiring multiple different cell designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs asymmetry by designing battery cells that deliberately lack uniform height across their structure. The non-uniform cell dimensions are tailored to fit specific device form factors, such as thinner laptop designs, where space is constrained and non-traditional battery locations are utilized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If non-uniform battery cells with different heights are used, then integration in devices with unique form factors is improved, but manufacturing and electrical connection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration in unique form factorsVSAvoidmanufacturing and electrical connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the battery cell elements into a single integrated non-uniform cell structure rather than using multiple separate cells. This consolidation simplifies manufacturing and assembly processes while achieving the desired non-uniform geometry, as the cell is constructed as one unified component with varying heights in different regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10090504B2Non-uniform battery cell

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 INTEL CORP

AI summary

An apparatus is provided that includes a two or more cell elements stacked internally to create a single cell with a non-uniform height. A first bus bar may electrically couple to a first side or first end of the cell elements in order to connect the terminals of the battery elements. A second bus bar may electrically couple to a second side or second end of the cell elements in order to connect the terminals of the battery elements.