IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,174,660
Granted Patent B2
US 12,174,660 · App. 17/019,036 · Granted Dec 24, 2024

Electronic device

Inventors: Alvin T. Chang (San Francisco, CA); Jody C. Fu (San Francisco, CA); Ross L. Jackson (San Francisco, CA); Adam T. Clavelle (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: APPLE INC.
G06F1/163H01M10/4257H01M50/103H01M10/0525H01M2220/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,174,660
App. No.
17/019,036
Granted
Dec 24, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A portable electronic device can include a housing at least partially defining an internal volume and a battery disposed in the internal volume. The battery can include sidewalls and a top portion extending past the sidewalls to define a flange. A component can be positioned in the internal volume adjacent to the battery, and at least a portion of the component can extend beyond an edge of the flange toward the sidewall of the battery.

Claims (20)

1. A portable electronic device, comprising: a housing at least partially defining an internal volume; a battery disposed in the internal volume, the battery comprising a sidewall and a top portion extending past the sidewall to define a flange; and a component spaced apart from the battery, at least a portion of the component extending toward the sidewall and underneath the flange from a location adjacent to the battery and beyond an edge of the flange; a structural component disposed adjacent to the battery, the structural component defining a groove positioned in-plane with the flange; and a flexible electrical connector disposed between the flange and the groove, wherein the flexible electrical connector is deflectable into the groove in response to movement of the flange.

2. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the battery comprises a controller.

3. The portable electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the controller is overmolded with a polymer material.

4. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the flange extends beyond a portion of a sidewall of the housing.

5. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises an operational component.

6. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises a haptic feedback module.

7. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the structural component comprises a bracket.

8. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the battery has a capacity greater than 250 mAh.

9. A battery assembly for a portable electronic device, comprising: a housing comprising a sidewall and a top portion, the top portion extending past the sidewall to define a flange; a battery disposed in the housing, the battery having an energy capacity; a structural component disposed adjacent to the battery, the structural component defining a groove positioned in-plane with the flange; and a flexible electrical connector disposed between the flange and the groove, wherein the flexible electrical connector is deflectable into the groove in response to movement of the flange; a controller affixed to the housing, the controller, comprising: a circuit board; a processor disposed on the circuit board, the processor in electrical communication with the battery, and the processor configured to transmit battery information that includes at least one of a state of charge or a number of charging cycles; and a polymer material encasing the processor.

10. The battery assembly of claim 9 , wherein the battery comprises a lithium-ion battery.

11. The battery assembly of claim 9 , wherein the battery is rechargeable.

12. The battery assembly of claim 9 , wherein the polymer material mechanically supports the processor on the circuit board.

13. The battery assembly of claim 9 , wherein:

the housing comprises a base portion; and

a transition between the sidewall and the base portion is curved.

14. The battery assembly of claim 9 , wherein the battery has an energy capacity greater than 240 mAh.

15. A portable electronic device, comprising: a housing comprising a first sidewall at least partially defining an internal volume; and a battery comprising a second sidewall and a top portion extending past the second sidewall at an overhang point to define a flange; a structural component disposed adjacent to the battery, the structural component defining a groove positioned in-plane with the flange; and a flexible electrical connector disposed between the flange and the groove, wherein the flexible electrical connector is deflectable into the groove in response to movement of the flange; wherein the battery is disposed inside the internal volume and is fixedly mounted to the housing with an adhesive at a location adjacent to the first sidewall such that the flange extends over at least a portion of the first sidewall.

16. The portable electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.

17. The portable electronic device of claim 15 , further comprising an operational component, at least a portion of the operational component extending beyond an edge of the flange toward the second sidewall.

18. The portable electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the battery has a rectangular peripheral shape.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 11, 2020
From: CHANG, ALVIN T.; FU, JODY C.; JACKSON, ROSS L.; CLAVELLE, ADAM T.
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 053751/0812 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63037987 · Jun 11, 2020
Related Publication 20210389795A1 · Dec 16, 2021
Cited By (4)
US 1,121,614 US 1,121,615 US 1,126,961 US 12,572,182