Battery Swell Detection
A capacitance sensor may be positioned to detect size changes in objects. The sensor may be constructed with to use mutual capacitance or self-capacitance to detect the size changes.
1 . A portable electronic device, comprising:
a first capacitance sensor;
a controller programmed to detect a touch input and/or a proximity input measured from the first capacitance sensor;
a second capacitance sensor in communication with the controller; and
a battery assembly being adjacent to the second capacitance sensor;
wherein the second capacitance sensor is programmed to detect swelling of the battery assembly.
2 . The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first capacitance sensor is incorporated into a track pad.
3 . The portable electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the second capacitance sensor is located between the track pad and the battery assembly.
4 . The portable electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the second capacitance sensor is located between a structural feature of the portable electronic device and the battery assembly.
5 . The portable electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the second capacitance sensor is connected to an underside of the track pad.
6 . The portable electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the second capacitance sensor is in physical contact with at least one cell of the battery assembly.
7 . The portable electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the second capacitance sensor is in physical contact with each cell of the battery assembly.
8 . The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first capacitance sensor is a touch screen.
9 . The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the second capacitance sensor includes:
a first electrode; and
a compressible material between the first electrode and the battery assembly;
wherein the capacitance measured with the first electrode is based on size of the compressible material.
10 . The portable electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the second capacitance sensor include:
a second electrode;
wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are located adjacent a first side of the compressible material.
11 . The portable electronic device of claim 10 , further comprising:
a floating coupler;
wherein the floating coupler is adjacent a second side of the compressible material that is opposite of the first side of the compressible material.
12 . The portable electronic device of claim 9 , further comprising:
a second electrode;
wherein the compressible material is located between the first insulator and the second insulator;
wherein the capacitance measured with the first electrode is based on a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode.
13 . A portable electronic device, comprising:
a controller programmed to:
detect a touch input and/or a proximity input measured from a track pad of the portable electronic device; and
detect swelling of an internal object incorporated into the portable electronic device from a capacitance sensor incorporated into the portable electronic device.
14 . The portable electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the capacitance sensor is located between the track pad and the internal object.
15 . The portable electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the capacitance sensor is located between a structural feature of the portable electronic device and the internal object.
16 . The portable electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the capacitance sensor is connected to the track pad.
17 . The portable electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the capacitance sensor is in physical contact with at least one cell of the internal object.
18 . The portable electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the capacitance sensor is in physical contact with each cell of the internal object.
19 . A computer-program product for use in a portable electronic device, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor to:
detect a touch input and/or a proximity input measured from a track pad of the portable electronic device; and
detect swelling of a battery assembly incorporated into the portable electronic device from a capacitance sensor incorporated into the portable electronic device.
20 . The computer-program product of claim 19 , wherein the capacitance sensor is located between a structural feature of the portable electronic device and the battery assembly.