U.S. patent application number 10/721450 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for information handling system including battery assembly having multiple separable subassemblies.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dell Products L.P.. Invention is credited to Breen, John J., Miller, Bruce, Taylor, Jay L., Young, Chris.
Application Number | 20050112457 10/721450 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34591806 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050112457 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Breen, John J. ; et
al. |
May 26, 2005 |
Information handling system including battery assembly having
multiple separable subassemblies
Abstract
An information handling system includes a battery assembly that
is separable into two or more battery subassemblies to facilitate
shipping. The battery subassemblies mechanically and electrically
connect together to provide a completed battery assembly that
exhibits increased power capacity as compared with an individual
battery subassembly alone. In one embodiment, the individual
battery subassemblies are sufficiently small in power capacity or
other characteristic to avoid the increased shipping expense
incurred when batteries exceed a certain threshold in power
capacity, chemistry or other threshold characteristic.
Inventors: |
Breen, John J.; (Harker
Heights, TX) ; Miller, Bruce; (Plano, TX) ;
Taylor, Jay L.; (Georgetown, TX) ; Young, Chris;
(Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAYNES AND BOONE, LLP
901 MAIN STREET, SUITE 3100
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Assignee: |
Dell Products L.P.
Round Rock
TX
|
Family ID: |
34591806 |
Appl. No.: |
10/721450 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
429/99 ;
29/623.1; 429/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 6/5016 20130101;
H01M 50/256 20210101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; Y10T 29/49108 20150115;
H01M 10/345 20130101; H01M 6/42 20130101; H01M 50/213 20210101;
G06Q 10/083 20130101; H01M 10/052 20130101; H01M 16/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
429/099 ;
029/623.1; 429/009 |
International
Class: |
H01M 002/10; H01M
010/04 |
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing a battery powered device comprising:
providing first and second battery subassemblies, the first battery
subassembly being connectable to the second battery subassembly to
form a battery assembly having more electrical capacity than the
first and second battery subassemblies individually; connecting the
first battery subassembly to the second battery subassembly to form
the battery assembly; and connecting the battery assembly to the
battery powered device to supply power thereto.
2. The method of claim 1 including mechanically connecting the
first battery subassembly to the second battery subassembly.
3. The method of claim 1 including electrically connecting the
first battery subassembly to the second battery subassembly.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first battery subassembly
exhibits a first cell chemistry
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the second battery subassembly
exhibits a second cell chemistry.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the first cell chemistry is
different from the second cell chemistry.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the first cell chemistry is
lithium ion chemistry.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the second cell chemistry is
nickel metal hydride chemistry.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first battery subassembly and
second battery subassembly are in paralles when connected
together.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first battery subassembly and
second battery subassembly are in series when connected
together.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second battery
subassemblies are shipped separated from one another prior to
connecting the first battery subassembly to the second battery
subassembly to form the completed battery assembly.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the connecting is performed by an
IHS configuration facility.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the connecting is performed by a
customer.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the battery powered device is an
information handling system.
15. A method of manufacturing a battery for use in a battery
powered device, the method comprising: providing a first battery
subassembly including a subassembly to subassembly electrical
connector and a device power connector for supplying power to the
battery powered device, the first battery subassembly including a
subassembly to subassembly mechanical connector; and providing a
second battery subassembly including a subassembly to subassembly
electrical connector for electrically connecting to the subassembly
to subassembly electrical connector of the first battery
subassembly, the second battery subassembly including a subassembly
to subassembly mechanical connector for mechanically connecting to
the subassembly to subassembly mechanical connector of the first
battery subassembly.
16. The method of claim 15 including electrically and mechanically
connecting the first battery subassembly to the second battery
subassembly to form a completed battery assembly.
17. The method of claim 16 including positioning the completed
battery assembly in a bay of the battery powered device.
18. The method of claim 17 including electrically connecting the
device power connector to a corresponding electrical connector of
the battery powered device.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein the first battery subassembly
exhibits an energy capacity less than the threshold for triggering
higher shipping costs due to regulations.
20. The method of claim 15 wherein the first and second battery
subassemblies are shipped separated from one another prior to
connecting the first battery subassembly to the second battery
subassembly to form the completed battery.
21. The method of claim 15 wherein the second battery subassembly
exhibits a energy capacity less than the threshold for triggering
higher shipping costs due to regulations.
22. The method of claim 15 wherein the first battery subassembly
exhibits a first cell chemistry
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the second battery subassembly
exhibits a second cell chemistry.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the first cell chemistry is
different from the second cell chemistry.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the first cell chemistry is
lithium ion chemistry.
26. The method of claim 24 wherein the second cell chemistry is
nickel metal hydride chemistry.
27. The method of claim 16 wherein the first battery subassembly
and second battery subassembly are in parallel when connected to
form the completed battery.
28. The method of claim 16 wherein the first battery subassembly
and the second battery subassembly are in series when connected to
form the completed battery.
29. An information handling system (IHS) comprising: a processor; a
memory coupled to the processor; and a battery bay for receiving a
battery assembly therein, the battery assembly providing power to
the processor and the memory, the battery assembly including: a
first battery subassembly including a subassembly to subassembly
electrical connector and a device power connector for supplying
power to the battery powered device, the first battery subassembly
including a subassembly to subassembly mechanical connector; and a
second battery subassembly including a subassembly to subassembly
electrical connector for electrically connecting to the subassembly
to subassembly electrical connector of the first battery
subassembly, the second battery subassembly including a subassembly
to subassembly mechanical connector for mechanically connecting to
the subassembly to subassembly mechanical connector of the first
battery subassembly.
30. The IHS of claim 29 wherein the first battery subassembly and
the second battery subassembly are electrically and mechanically
connecting together to form a completed battery assembly.
31. The IHS of claim 29 wherein the first battery subassembly
exhibits a energy capacity less than the threshold for triggering
higher shipping costs due to regulations.
32. The IHS of claim 29 wherein the second battery subassembly
exhibits a energy capacity less than the threshold for triggering
higher shipping costs due to regulations.
33. The IHS of claim 29 wherein the first battery subassembly
exhibits a first cell chemistry
34. The IHS of claim 33 wherein the second battery subassembly
exhibits a second cell chemistry.
35. The IHS of claim 34 wherein the first cell chemistry is
different from the second cell chemistry.
36. The IHS of claim 34 wherein the first cell chemistry is lithium
ion chemistry.
37. The IHS of claim 34 wherein the second cell chemistry is nickel
metal hydride chemistry.
38. A battery powered device comprising: electrical circuitry which
requires power to operate; and a housing in which the electrical
circuitry is situated, the housing including a battery bay for
receiving a battery assembly therein, the battery assembly
including: a first battery subassembly including a subassembly to
subassembly electrical connector and a device power connector for
supplying power to the battery powered device, the first battery
subassembly including a subassembly to subassembly mechanical
connector; and a second battery subassembly including a subassembly
to subassembly electrical connector for electrically connecting to
the subassembly to subassembly electrical connector of the first
battery subassembly, the second battery subassembly including a
subassembly to subassembly mechanical connector for mechanically
connecting to the subassembly to subassembly mechanical connector
of the first battery subassembly.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The disclosures herein relate generally to information
handling systems (IHS's) and more particularly to battery
assemblies which can be used in such systems and other devices
requiring portable electrical power.
[0002] As the value and use of information continue to increase,
individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and
store information. One option available to users is information
handling systems. An information handling system (IHS) generally
processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or
data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing
users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because
technology and information handling needs and requirements vary
between different users or applications, information handling
systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how
the information is handled, how much information is processed,
stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the
information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The
variations in information handling systems allow for information
handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or
specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline
reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In
addition, information handling systems may include a variety of
hardware and software components that may be configured to process,
store, and communicate information and may include one or more
computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
[0003] Portable battery-powered IHS's continue to progress with
ever increasing information handling capabilities. However,
concurrent with this performance increase, the amount of power
which portable IHS's draw from their power supply systems continues
to increase as well. Batteries are called upon to produce higher
amounts of electrical energy with each new portable IHS generation.
New regulatory requirements have dramatically increased the
shipping charges for batteries which exceed certain thresholds, for
example a power capacity of more than approximately 98 watt hours
or a lithium content of more than 8 grams for lithium ion battery
chemistry. Since batteries with capacities in excess of 98 watt
hours are now needed to power today's high performance portable
IHS's, the fees paid for shipping batteries are increasing
substantially.
[0004] What is needed is a way to package batteries in a manner
which results in more cost effective shipping for batteries with
high watt hour ratings.
SUMMARY
[0005] Accordingly, in one embodiment, a method is disclosed for
manufacturing a battery powered device. The method includes
providing first and second battery subassemblies. The first battery
subassembly is connectable to the second battery subassembly to
form a battery assembly having more electrical capacity than the
first and second battery subassemblies individually. The method
includes connecting the first battery subassembly to the second
battery subassembly to form the battery assembly. The method still
further includes connecting the battery assembly to the battery
powered device to supply power thereto.
[0006] In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for
manufacturing a battery for use in a battery powered device. The
method includes providing a first battery subassembly having a
subassembly to subassembly electrical connector and a device power
connector for supplying power to the battery powered device. The
first battery subassembly includes a subassembly to subassembly
mechanical connector. The method also includes providing a second
battery subassembly including a subassembly to subassembly
electrical connector for electrically connecting to the subassembly
to subassembly electrical connector of the first battery
subassembly. The second battery subassembly includes a subassembly
to subassembly mechanical connector for mechanically connecting to
the subassembly to subassembly mechanical connector of the first
battery subassembly.
[0007] A principal advantage of the embodiments disclosed herein is
that battery subassemblies can be shipped at significantly lower
cost than batteries which exceed certain regulatory thresholds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the disclosed battery
assembly.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper battery
subassembly of the battery assembly of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lower battery
subassembly of the battery assembly of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4A-4F show several views of the disclosed battery
assembly.
[0012] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the battery
assembly in open and partially closed positions, respectively.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portable information
handling system showing a bay for receiving a battery assembly.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the an information handling
system using the disclosed battery technology.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a flow chart depicting steps taken to fabricate
and ship the battery subassemblies and assemble the completed
battery assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a battery 100 which can
be used to supply power to an information handling system (IHS) or
other electrical devices. For purposes of this disclosure, an
information handling system (IHS) may include any instrumentality
or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify,
process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store,
display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize
any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,
scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information
handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage
device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape,
performance, functionality, and price. The information handling
system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more
processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or
hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of
nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information
handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more
network ports for communicating with external devices as well as
various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a
mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may
also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications
between the various hardware components.
[0017] In one embodiment, battery assembly 100 is formed from 2 or
more battery subassemblies. In this manner, the power capacity of
each battery subassembly can be made to be less than the threshold
power capacity or threshold chemical mass at which increased
shipping rates begin to apply. For example, in FIG. 1 battery
assembly 100 includes an upper battery sub-assembly 200 which
mechanically mates and electrically connects with a lower battery
subassembly 300. A perspective view of upper battery subassembly
200 is shown in FIG. 2 and a perspective view of lower battery
subassembly 300 is shown in FIG. 3.
[0018] FIG. 4A is a top plan view of battery assembly 100 showing
the top 105 of upper battery subassembly 200. The left side 110 of
battery assembly 100 is shown in FIG. 4B while the front side 115
and rear side 120 of battery assembly 100 are shown in FIGS. 4C and
4D respectively. To more clearly illustrate how battery
subassemblies 200 and 300 fit together, cross sections are taken of
battery assembly 100 along section lines 4E-4E and 4F-4F. FIG. 4E
shows a cross section of battery assembly 100 taken along section
line 4E-4E and FIG. 4F shows a cross section of battery assembly
100 taken along section line 4F-4F.
[0019] As seen in the cross sections of FIGS. 4E and 4F, upper
battery subassembly 200 includes 8 cells 205 and lower battery
subassembly 300 includes 8 cells 305. In this particular
embodiment, the cells of upper battery subassembly 200 are
electrically coupled together in series such that the voltage of
the cells is cumulative. When lithium ion chemistry is used for the
8 cells 205 in upper battery subassembly 305 the cumulative voltage
is approximately 33.6 volts. In this particular embodiment, the
cells of lower battery subassembly 300 are also electrically
coupled together in series such that the cumulative voltage of the
cells is 33.6 volts. When upper battery subassembly 200 is
mechanically mated with lower battery subassembly 300, the
connection is made in parallel such that the voltage of the
combined assembly is still 33.6 volts. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that internal to subassemblies 200 and 300, the
cells may be connected in series, in parallel or in a combination
of series and parallel according to the output voltage and current
rating desired for the combined structure. While in this
embodiment, upper battery subassembly 200 is connected in parallel
with lower battery subassembly 300, other embodiments are possible
wherein these structures are connected in series.
[0020] In more detail, upper battery subassembly 200 includes
chambers 210 and 215. In this particular embodiment, chamber 210
exhibits a first size which accommodates 3 cells and chamber 215
exhibits a second size which is larger than chamber 210 and which
accommodates 5 cells therein. Other embodiments are possible
wherein the chambers are configured to enclose a greater or lesser
number of cells. Immediately below battery subassembly 200, lower
battery subassembly 300 includes chambers 310 and 315 which
correspond to chambers 210 and 215 which were already described.
Chambers 310 and 315 include 3 and 5 cells, respectively, although
again chambers with a greater or lesser number of cells are
possible.
[0021] As mentioned earlier, upper battery subassembly 200 and
lower battery subassembly are both mechanically and electrically
connected together. The two subassemblies are mechanically
connected together as follows. Upper battery subassembly 200
includes a lower surface 220 which mates with the upper surface 320
of lower battery assembly 300 as seen in the side view of FIG. 4B.
Whatever geometric pattern selected for lower surface 220, the
inverse pattern is selected for upper surface 320 so that one mates
with the other. In the particular embodiment of FIG. 4B wherein
lower surface 220 exhibits 3 valleys 225 it is seen that upper
surface 320 exhibits 3 peaks 325. The peaks mate with the valleys
and help hold upper battery subassembly 200 and lower battery
subassembly 200 laterally in position with respect to one
another.
[0022] Lower battery subassembly 300 includes recesses 330, seen in
FIG. 3 and later in FIG. 5A-5B, into which corresponding
protrusions 230 of upper battery subassembly 200 fit. Once upper
battery subassembly 200 is mated with lower battery subassembly
300, screws 235 seen in FIG. 4A are threaded through threaded holes
237 in upper battery subassembly 200 and through corresponding
respective threaded holes 337 seen in FIG. 3 in lower battery
assembly 300 therebelow. This screw arrangement, together with the
above described mating valleys 225 and peaks 325, and together with
the mating protrusions 230 and recesses 330, firmly holds upper
battery subassembly 200 to lower battery subassembly 300 together
to form a unitary battery module. Lower battery assembly 300 also
includes latches 340 to help hold battery assembly 100 together
inside a battery powered device.
[0023] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of battery assembly 100
showing battery subassemblies 200 and 300 in an open position
before being mated together. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of
battery assembly 100 showing battery subassemblies 200 and 300 in a
partially closed position prior to complete mating of the two
subassemblies together. When protrusions 230 of upper battery
subassembly 200 are situated in recesses 330 of lower battery
subassembly 300 as shown in FIG. 5B the protrusion 230--recess 330
pairs form respective hinges about which upper battery subassembly
200 and lower battery subassembly 300 rotate while the are mated
with one another to from completed battery assembly 100.
[0024] While the mechanical connection of upper battery subassembly
200 to lower battery subassembly 300 has been described above, the
electrical connection of these two subassemblies together is now
described. As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, upper battery subassembly
200 includes a battery connector 505 which mates and electrically
connects with a battery connector 510 on lower battery subassembly
300. The cells of upper battery subassembly 200 are connected in
parallel with the cells of lower battery subassembly 300 in this
particular embodiment. Other embodiments are contemplated wherein
the cells are connected in series as desired for the particular
application. Lower battery subassembly 300 includes main power
connector 350 as seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Main power connector 350
is used to connect the completed battery assembly 100 to other
devices such as information handling systems and other power
consuming devices. Main power connector 350 includes multiple
contacts such as positive, negative, ground as well as control
signal contacts for a battery management unit (not shown) which may
be situated in either of, or both of, upper battery subassembly 200
and lower battery subassembly 300. It is also possible to locate
main power connector 350 in upper battery subassembly 200 if
desired.
[0025] In one embodiment, after battery subassemblies 200 and 300
are connected together to form the completed battery assembly 100,
battery assembly 100 is placed in a battery chamber or battery bay
605 formed in the housing 610 of an battery powered device 600 such
as a notebook computer type IHS, for example, as shown in FIG. 6.
Battery bay 605 includes an electrical connector 615, as seen in
FIG. 6, which mates with main electrical connector 350 of lower
battery subassembly 300 seen in FIG. 3.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a representation of an electrical power consuming
device 600 to which battery assembly 100 can be connected to supply
power thereto. In this particular embodiment, electrical power
consuming device 600 is an information handling system such as a
laptop or notebook computer. However, virtually any power consuming
device can be adapted to receive power from battery assembly 100.
Power consuming devices such as battery powered appliances,
consumer electronics goods, electric cars, and toys are just a few
examples of battery powered devices in which battery assembly 100
can be employed.
[0027] In more detail, FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a portable or
notebook IHS system such as a notebook, laptop, PDA or other
portable, battery-powered system. IHS 600 includes a processor 705
such as an Intel Pentium series processor or one of many other
processors currently available. An Intel Hub Architecture (IHA)
chipset 710 provides IHS 600 with glue-logic that connects
processor 705 to other components of IHS 600. Chipset 710 carries
out graphics/memory controller hub functions and I/O functions.
More specifically, chipset 710 acts as a host controller which
communicates with a graphics controller 715 coupled thereto.
Graphics controller 715 is coupled to a display 720. Chipset 710
also acts as a controller for main memory 725 which is coupled
thereto. Chipset 710 further acts as an I/O controller hub (ICH)
which performs I/O functions. Input devices 730 such as a mouse,
keyboard, and tablet, are also coupled to chipset 710 at the option
of the user. An expansion bus 735, such as a Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) bus, PCI Express bus, SATA bus or other bus is
coupled to chipset 710 as shown to enable IHS 600 to be connected
to other devices which provide IHS 600 with additional
functionality. A universal serial bus (USB) 740 or other I/O bus is
coupled to chipset 710 to facilitate the connection of peripheral
devices to IHS 600. System basic input-output system (BIOS) 745 is
coupled to chipset 710 as shown. BIOS software 745 is stored in
nonvolatile memory such as CMOS or FLASH memory. A network
interface controller (NIC) 750 is coupled to chipset 710 to
facilitate connection of system 600 to other information handling
systems. A media drive controller 755 is coupled to chipset 710 so
that devices such as media drive 760 can be connected to chipset
710 and processor 705. Devices that can be coupled to media drive
controller 755 include CD-ROM drives, DVD drives, hard disk drives
and other fixed or removable media drives. IHS 600 includes an
operating system which is stored on media drive 760. Typical
operating systems which can be stored on media drive 760 include
Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000 and the Linux
operating systems. (Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.)
[0028] IHS 600 includes a power management controller (PMC) 765
which is coupled to chipset 710 as shown. PMC 765 controls power
supply functions within IHS 600 under the direction of control
software stored in nonvolatile FLASH memory 770. One output of PMC
765 is a system management bus (SMBUS) 775 which is coupled to DC
power regulation circuit 780. Battery assembly 100, including upper
battery 200 and lower battery subassembly 300 are connected via
electrical connectors 350 and 615 to DC power regulation circuit to
provide a source of DC power. DC power regulation circuit 780
includes an output 785 which provides the main DC regulation power
for the components of IHS 600 or other electrical power consuming
device.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the building process for
a battery powered device utilizing battery assembly 100. Prior to
shipment of a battery 100, the battery is portioned into 2 or more
subassemblies which can be later mechanically and electrically
connected to one another after shipping. In one embodiment, upper
and lower battery subassemblies are fabricated as per block 805. In
one embodiment, each battery subassembly exhibits a power rating,
chemical weight or other factor which is less than a threshold
amount needed to trigger increased shipping cost due to regulations
or shipping liability concerns. When a battery exhibits a
characteristic which exceeds a regulatory or other threshold the
cost of shipping goes up. This characteristic could be the watt
hour rating, the weight of a chemical element or other battery
characteristic. Other embodiments using more than two battery
subassemblies are possible as long as the battery subassemblies
mechanically mate with one another and electrically connect to one
another. The unmated upper and lower battery subassemblies are
placed in a shipping container as per block 810. Each battery is
then shipped at a fee per battery subassembly which is less then
the increased fee encountered by batteries which exceed the
regulatory threshold or other threshold as per block 815. A battery
powered device, such as a notebook IHS for example, is then
fabricated to include a battery receiving bay or chamber as per
block 820. The IHS and the still separate upper and lower battery
subassemblies are placed in a shipping package as per block 825.
The package is then sent to the customer or reseller and the
appropriate shipping fee is paid as per block 830. The shipping fee
is at the reduced rate for smaller batteries that do not trigger
the threshold for increased shipping fees. When the customer,
reseller or other person receives the package, the customer,
reseller or other person mechanically and electrically connects the
upper and lower battery assemblies to form a complete battery
assembly as per block 835. The complete battery is then placed in
the battery bay of the IHS device as per block 840. The complete
battery assembly is mechanically and electrically connected to the
IHS device to provide power thereto. In one embodiment, an IHS
configuration facility or reseller or other entity may connect the
upper and lower battery assemblies to complete the battery assembly
and then place the battery assembly in the battery bay of an
electrically powered device. In this embodiment, the customer would
pick up the completed electrically powered device from the
configuration facility, the reseller or other entity.
[0030] It is noted that an IHS is just one example of a battery
powered device to which the disclosed technology applies. The
disclosed technology can be applied to fabricate and ship a battery
which can be used in virtually any battery powered device. In one
embodiment, the chemistry of the individual battery subassemblies
is the same. For example, the upper battery subassembly and the
lower battery subassembly each employ nickel metal hydride
chemistry. Alternatively, both subassemblies employ lithium ion or
nickel cadmium chemistry or other battery chemistries. In another
embodiment the battery subassemblies employ different chemistries.
For example, one battery subassembly employs lithium ion chemistry
and the other mating battery subassembly employs nickel metal
hydride chemistry. In this embodiment, the lithium ion battery
subassembly includes a battery management unit, safety controls and
housing appropriate for lithium ion chemistry and the nickel metal
hydride battery subassembly includes a battery management unit,
safety controls and housing appropriate for nickel metal hydride
chemistry.
[0031] Advantageously, the disclosed technology allows a customer
to upgrade the battery used in the customer's battery powered
device. Initially the customer can purchase just one battery
subassembly to power the device. Later the customer can, at his or
her convenience, purchase a second battery subassembly. The
customer then mates the first battery subassembly with the second
battery subassembly to form a battery which exhibits increased
power and energy capacity.
[0032] The disclosed technology advantageously partitions a battery
into multiple battery subassemblies resulting in substantial
savings when batteries are shipped from place to place. The terms
"upper" and "lower" as applied to upper battery subassembly 200 and
lower battery subassembly 300 are used for convenience and are not
intended to limit the battery subassemblies to these particular
orientations. Likewise, terms such as top, bottom, front and rear
are also used for convenience and are not intended to limit
elements of battery assembly 100 to a particular orientation.
[0033] Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and
described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is
contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances,
some features of an embodiment may be employed without a
corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate
that the appended claims be construed broadly and in manner
consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.
* * * * *