Thin-Film Auxiliary Battery Layout for Unused Device Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to efficiently utilize space within consumer-electronic devices for batteries while maintaining or improving battery lifetime, as shrinking device sizes reduces available interior volume.
Innovation Solution
A multiple battery configuration is proposed, comprising a conventional planar or 'jellyroll' lithium-ion battery paired with a thin-film auxiliary battery. The thin-film battery is strategically placed to fill unused space, such as underneath a device display, and can be flexible to accommodate swelling during charging/discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a single conventional battery is used to fill the device interior, then the device structure is simple, but the space utilization is insufficient due to unused gaps and irregular spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into a primary battery and one or more auxiliary batteries, allowing each component to occupy different spatial zones within the device. The auxiliary batteries are positioned to fill unused gaps and irregular spaces that cannot be accommodated by a single conventional battery, thereby improving overall space utilization without requiring a complete redesign of the battery architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary batteries are integrated into the device structure in a nested manner, fitting into available spaces around and between other components. This nesting approach allows the auxiliary batteries to occupy previously wasted space while maintaining a compact overall device structure and avoiding excessive complexity in the battery configuration.
2Length of moving object
If the device size is reduced to meet consumer demand for smaller form factors, then the device portability is improved, but the available interior volume for batteries decreases, reducing battery lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing battery capacity by enlarging the device in traditional dimensions, the invention utilizes previously unused three-dimensional spaces within the device interior. By positioning auxiliary batteries in gaps and irregular zones that were not traditionally considered for battery placement, the system effectively adds battery capacity without increasing the device's external dimensions, thus maintaining portability while extending battery lifetime.
3Quantity of substance
If a thin-film auxiliary battery is added to fill unused space, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional battery management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary battery is electrically integrated with the primary battery through a unified battery management system. The controller monitors and manages both batteries as a combined system, handling charge/discharge operations, state-of-charge estimation, and safety monitoring in an integrated manner. This merging approach allows the system to leverage additional energy storage capacity while avoiding proportionally increased complexity by treating the multi-battery system as a cohesive unit rather than separate managed entities.
Data Source
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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.