Void Filling Battery Cell for Compact Device Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in designing portable electronic devices is the inefficient use of space due to the large size of power delivery systems, which hinders the miniaturization of devices like smartphones and laptops.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell is integrated onto the circuit board, filling voids between components, utilizing an electrically insulating material, current collectors, active materials, and a separator to create a compact design that enhances space utilization and heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a traditional power delivery system is used, then the device has sufficient energy capacity, but the device size increases and space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cell is nested within the voids of the circuit board assembly, fitting into the three-dimensional spaces between components. This nesting approach allows the power delivery system to occupy otherwise wasted space, enabling sufficient energy capacity without increasing the overall device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional planar battery layout to a three-dimensional volumetric configuration by filling voids between circuit board components. This dimensional change enables more efficient space utilization, allowing the battery to achieve higher energy capacity within the same device envelope.
2Volume of moving object
If the battery is made compact to reduce device size, then space utilization improves, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cell is configured with non-uniform thickness to match the varying depths of voids between circuit board components. This local quality variation optimizes both space utilization in different regions and thermal management, as thinner sections allow better heat dissipation while thicker sections maximize energy capacity where space permits.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell is formed to efficiently use unoccupied space in an electronic device. The battery cell may be formed by disposing an electrically insulating material on at least a first surface of a circuit board having components to create an electrical barrier and disposing a battery cell on the electrically insulating material. In some embodiments, a portion of the battery cell is configured to be partially disposed between components of the circuit board components, thus utilizing previously unoccupied space in the electronic device to store energy.