U.S. patent number RE39,703 [Application Number 07/963,915] was granted by the patent office on 2007-06-26 for battery with strength indicator.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Strategic Electronics. Invention is credited to James R. Burroughs, Alan N. O'Kain.
United States Patent |
RE39,703 |
Burroughs , et al. |
June 26, 2007 |
Battery with strength indicator
Abstract
A battery strength indicating and switch means on a battery
which is coupled across the terminals of the battery and which is
provided with an indicating means to indicate the strength of the
battery and in addition, the battery strength indicating means is
also provided with an in-line switch which can easily be depressed
to complete the circuit so as to place the indicator means across
the terminals of the cell and display the charge of the
battery.
Inventors: |
Burroughs; James R. (Encino,
CA), O'Kain; Alan N. (Corona del Mar, CA) |
Assignee: |
Strategic Electronics (Reno,
NV)
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Family
ID: |
38178954 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/963,915 |
Filed: |
October 20, 1992 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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10213046 |
Aug 5, 2002 |
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09338115 |
Jun 23, 1999 |
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Reissue of: |
07308210 |
Feb 8, 1989 |
05015544 |
May 14, 1991 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
429/93; 429/91;
429/92; 324/435; 324/104; 200/16D |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E
60/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01M
10/48 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;324/104,435,437
;429/7,90,91,92 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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3100-503 |
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3100503 |
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DE |
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0497616 |
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May 1992 |
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EP |
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0497617 |
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May 1992 |
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EP |
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0495636 |
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Jul 1992 |
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EP |
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0523901 |
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Jan 1993 |
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EP |
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0450938 |
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Dec 1995 |
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EP |
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2011698 |
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Jul 1979 |
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GB |
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63-179269 |
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Jul 1988 |
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JP |
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63-213256 |
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Sep 1988 |
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JP |
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2-41365 |
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Mar 1990 |
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JP |
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2100-269 |
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Apr 1990 |
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JP |
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WO 92/03852 |
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Mar 1992 |
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WO |
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Other References
Yam, P. Plastics Get Wired, Scientific American (Jul. 1995), pp.
83-87. cited by other .
Parker, R. Solid State RMS Recording Ammeter, IEEE Power
Engineering Society Summer Meeting, San Francisco, CA (Jul. 9-14,
1972), pp. 104-107. cited by other .
Eveready Battery Engineering Data, vol. III (1984) pp. 29-31, no
month. cited by other .
Pilgrim's BATCHECK.RTM. Battery Tester/Digitemp.RTM. Battery
Tester, no date. cited by other .
TEKNA-LITE.TM. with Battery Life Indicator, 101 Twin Dolphin Drive,
Redwood City, CA 94065, no date. cited by other .
Franzese, K and Bharucha, N., "The Zinc-Carbon (Leclanche) Cell",
Chapter 5, no date. cited by other .
Nazarenko, N. and Lazaridis, C. N. Polymer Thick Film Conductors
and Dielectrics for Membrane Switches and Flexible Circuitry, E. I.
du Pont de Nemours & Company, Inc., Wilmington, DE 19898, no
date. cited by other .
Powers, R. Batteries for Low Power Electronics, Proceedings of the
IEEE, vol. 83, No. 4, (Apr. 1995), pp. 687-693. cited by other
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Pilgrim Battery Tester Pilgrim Plastics Products Company, Boston,
Massachussetts. (Jun. 17, 1986). cited by other .
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Gibson, R. Battle Over New Battery May Keep Going and Going, The
Wall Street Journal (Jan. 2, 1996). cited by other .
Fox, B. Battery giants ready for battle over patent, New Scientist
(Mar. 16, 1996). cited by other .
Gibson, R. Eastman Kodak Isn't Entitled to Patent For Battery
Tester, U.S. Agency Rules, The Wall Street Journal (Jan. 8, 1998).
cited by other .
Banerjee, N. Duracell Gets Charge From Russian Sales, The Wall
Street Journal, no date. cited by other.
|
Primary Examiner: Maples; John S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: DeLio & Peterson, LLC Peterson;
Peter W.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
.Iadd.This is a reissue application for U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,544. A
continuation reissue application for U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,544, Ser.
No. 09/338,115, was filed on Jun. 23, 1999 and is now abandoned. A
continuation reissue application for U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,544, Ser.
No. 10/213,046, was filed on Aug. 5, 2002, and is current
pending..Iaddend.
.Iadd.This application is a continuation of pending reissue
application entitled "Battery with Strength Indicator," Reissue
Ser. No. 07/963,915 filed on Oct. 20, 1992, which is a reissue
application of U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,554 issued on May 14,
1991..Iaddend.
Applicants have filed related U.S. patent application Ser. No.
160,143 on Feb. 25, 1988, on IMPROVED FLASHLIGHT WITH BATTERY
TESTER.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A battery having a battery strength indicating means to indicate
the strength of the battery comprising a battery having a first
terminal and a second terminal; a battery indicator and switch
means comprising a non-conductive base layer, a non-conductive top
layer disposed over the base layer, a first chamber formed between
the top layer and the base layer, and a second chamber spaced from
the first chamber and formed between the top layer and the base
layer; indicating means disposed in the first chamber; first
conductive means electrically connected to one terminal of the
battery and to one end of the indicating means; second conductive
means connected to the opposite end of the indicating means and
extending into the second chamber; third conductive means extending
from within the second chamber and extending to contact the other
terminal of the battery; and whereby the second conductive means
and the third conductive means in the second chamber are spaced
apart and said second chamber being deformable so that upon
pressing of the second chamber the second conductive means will
electrically contact the third conductive means thereby placing the
indicating means in electrical contact across the terminals of the
battery to indicate the strength of the battery.
2. The battery of claim 1 wherein the indicating means in said
first chamber undergoes a visible change when subject to at least a
pre-determined voltage value.
3. The battery of claim 1 wherein at least the top layer of the
first chamber is transparent.
4. The battery of claim 1 wherein at least the top layer of the
first chamber is translucent.
5. The battery of claim 1 wherein the indicating means is a
chemical redox composition which changes color when the voltage
potential across the terminals of the battery crosses a
pre-determined voltage.
6. The battery of claim 1 wherein the indicating means is a liquid
crystal composition that changes phases when the electric field
across the chamber exceeds a pre-determined value.
7. The battery of claim 1 wherein the second chamber upon being
depressed will remain depressed thereby completing the circuit and
placing the indicating means across the terminals of the cell.
8. The battery of claim 1 wherein the first conductive means
comprises a conductive layer which has a reduced cross-sectional
area in said first chamber and the indicating means in said first
chamber comprises a heat sensitive color indicating material
adapted to undergo a color change when the temperature in said
first chamber rises to a pre-determined temperature when the
voltage of the current flowing through the conductive layer exceeds
a pre-determined value.
9. The battery of claim 1 wherein the first conductive means
comprises a conductive layer which has a reduced cross-sectional
area in said first chamber and wherein the indicating means
comprises a pyrotechnic material adapted to decompose when the
temperature of the conductive layer in said first chamber exceeds a
pre-determined temperature, the conductive layer in said first
chamber is adapted to exceed said pre-determined temperature when
the voltage of the current through said conductive layer exceeds a
pre-determined value.
10. The battery of claim 1 wherein the first conductive means
comprises a conductive layer which has a reduced cross-sectional
area in said first chamber such that when the voltage of the
current flowing through the conductive layer in said first chamber
exceeds a pre-determined value the current flowing through said
conductive layer in said first chamber raises the temperature of
the conductive layer in the chamber to the melting point of the
conductive layer causing the conductive layer to melt at the
reduced cross-sectional area.
11. The battery of claim 1 wherein the indicating means is a light
emitting diode that undergoes a visible change when the voltage
applied to the light emitting diode crosses a pre-determined
value.
.Iadd.12. A battery having a battery strength indicator comprising:
a nonrechargeable dry cell battery having a first terminal and a
second terminal; a battery strength indicator formed in a layer
attached to a side of said battery which undergoes a visible change
when subject to a predetermined voltage output of said battery and
a first conductor electrically connected between one end of said
indicator and said first battery terminal; and a battery switch
comprising a resilient, nonconductive, deformable layer on a side
of said battery, a switch chamber disposed beneath said resilient
layer, and a second conductor extending from said switch chamber
and connected to the other end of the indicator, said portion of
said second conductive lead within said switch chamber comprising a
switch contact, said battery switch being biased in an electrically
open position, whereby upon pressing of the resilient layer over
said switch chamber, the switch contact will be placed in
electrical contact with a conductive layer in electrical contact
with said second battery terminal, thereby placing the indicator in
electrical contact across the terminals of the battery to indicate
to the user the strength of the battery..Iaddend.
.Iadd.13. The battery of claim 12 wherein said battery strength
indicator comprises: A) a dielectric layer; B) a conductive layer
above or below the dielectric layer, one end of said conductive
layer being electrically connected to said first battery terminal
and the other end of said conductive layer being electrically
connected to said switch chamber; and C) a temperature sensitive
color indicator material in thermal contact with the conductive
layer, characterized in that: 1) the conductive layer has i)
sufficient heat generating capacity to effect a change in the
temperature sensitive color indicator material and ii) means to
transfer sufficient heat generated by the conductive layer to the
temperature sensitive color indicator material to change the color
thereof and indicate voltage when the voltage indicator is in
contact with a battery housing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. The battery of claim 12 wherein said battery strength
indicator comprises a chemical redox composition which changes
color when the voltage potential across the terminals of the
battery crosses a pre-determined voltage..Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. The battery of claim 12 wherein said battery strength
indicator comprises a liquid crystal composition that changes
phases when the voltage potential across the terminals of the
battery crosses a pre-determined voltage..Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. The battery of claim 12 wherein said battery strength
indicator comprises a conductive layer which has a reduced
cross-sectional area in contact with a heat sensitive color
indicating material adapted to undergo a color change when the
temperature of the reduced cross-sectional area of the conductive
layer rises to a pre-determined temperature when the voltage
potential across the terminals of the battery crosses a
pre-determined voltage..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. The battery of claim 12 wherein said battery strength
indicator comprises a light emitting diode that undergoes a visible
change when the voltage potential across the terminals of the
battery crosses a pre-determined voltage..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. A battery having a voltage indicator comprising: 1) a
battery having first and second terminals; 2) a voltage indicator
attached to a side of said battery comprising: A) a dielectric
layer; B) a conductive layer above or below one of the surfaces of
the dielectric layer; and C) a temperature sensitive color
indicator material in thermal contact with the conductive layer,
characterized in that the conductive layer has i) a portion of a
sealed chamber, cell or bubble below one of its surfaces and ii)
sufficient heat generating capacity to effect a change in the
temperature sensitive color indicator material; and 3) an
electrical switch on a side of said battery which, when activated,
places said conductive layer in electrical contact across the
terminals of the battery to effect a change in the temperature
sensitive color indicator material and indicate the voltage of the
battery..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. The battery of claim 18 wherein the temperature sensitive
color indicator material is formed from a material which undergoes
a non-permanent color change when exposed to a predetermined
temperature..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The battery of claim 18 wherein the temperature sensitive
color indicator material undergoes visible color change when
exposed to a predetermined temperature..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. An article comprising an integral battery voltage
indicator having: A) a dielectric layer; B) a conductive layer
above or below the dielectric layer; and C) a temperature sensitive
color indicator material in thermal contact with the conductive
layer, characterized in that: 1) the conductive layer has i)
sufficient heat generating capacity to effect a change in the
temperature sensitive color indicator material and ii) sufficient
means under one of its surfaces to permit the heat generated by the
conductive layer to change the color of the temperature sensitive
color indicator material and indicate voltage when the voltage
indicator is in contact with a battery housing, and 2) the voltage
indicator includes means for forming an electrical switch with an
electrically conductive portion of the battery
housing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. An article according to claim 21 including a
nonconductive material under the conductive layer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. An article according to claim 21 wherein the means forms
a sealed chamber, cell or bubble..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. A battery having an article with an integral battery
voltage indicator, wherein the voltage indicator comprises: A) a
dielectric layer; B) a conductive layer above or below the
dielectric layer; and C) a temperature sensitive color indicator
material in thermal contact with the conductive layer,
characterized in that: 1) the conductive layer has i) sufficient
heat generating capacity to effect a change in the temperature
sensitive color indicator material and ii) sufficient means under
one of its surfaces to permit the heat generated by the conductive
layer to change the color of the temperature sensitive color
indicator material and indicate voltage when the voltage indicator
is in contact with a battery housing, and 2) the voltage indicator
includes means for forming an electrical switch with an
electrically conductive portion of the battery
housing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. A battery according to claim 24 including a non
conductive material between the battery surface and the conductive
layer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. A battery according to claim 24 wherein the means
comprises means for forming a sealed chamber, cell or
bubble..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. A battery with an integral voltage indicator comprising:
a battery having an anode and a cathode and being defined by a
battery housing, and a voltage indicator integral with said
battery, said voltage indicator comprising: a conductive layer; a
temperature sensitive color indicator material in thermal contact
with the conductive layer wherein the conductive layer has
sufficient heat-generating capacity to effect a change in the
temperature sensitive color indicator material; means between the
conductive layer and the battery housing to permit the heat
generated by the conductive layer to change the color of the
temperature sensitive color indicator material and indicate voltage
when the voltage indicator is in contact with the battery housing;
and electrical switch means positioned, when activated, to
electrically connect the conductive layer and a conductive portion
of the battery housing to effect a color change in the temperature
sensitive color indicator material..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. A battery according to claim 27, wherein the conductive
layer has a portion reduced to a small cross sectional area and is
positioned so that current can flow between the conductive layer
and reduced cross section area when the electrical switch means is
activated, wherein the extent to which the conductive layer is
heated at the reduced cross sectional area is related to the
battery's voltage and the extent to which the temperature sensitive
color indicator material undergoes a color change indicates the
voltage and level of heating..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. A battery according to claim 27, wherein the means is a
nonconductive material..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. A battery according to claim 27, wherein the means
comprises a sealed chamber, cell or bubble..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. A battery according to claim 27, wherein the temperature
sensitive color indicator material is formed from a material which
undergoes a non-permanent color change when exposed to a
predetermined temperature..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. A battery according to claim 27, wherein the temperature
sensitive color indicator material undergoes a visible color change
when exposed to a predetermined temperature..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. A battery having a voltmeter comprising: 1) a battery
having first and second terminals; 2) a voltmeter attached to a
side of said battery comprising: A) dielectric layer; B) a
conductive layer above or below one of the surfaces of the
dielectric layer; and C) a temperature sensitive color indicator
layer in thermal contact with the conductive layer, characterized
in that the conductive layer has i) an air pocket under one of its
surfaces and ii) sufficient heat generating capacity to affect a
change in the temperature sensitive color indicator layer; and 3)
an electrical switch on a side of said battery which, when
activated, places said conductive layer in electrical contact
across the terminals of the battery to effect a change in the
temperature sensitive color indicator material and indicate the
voltage of the battery..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The battery of claim 33 wherein the color indicator
changes from: A) a color to colorless; B) colorless to a color; C)
one color to a second color..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The battery of claim 33 wherein the temperature sensitive
color indicator layer is formed from a color reversible temperature
sensitive material selected from the group consisting of
thermochromic inks, liquid crystalline material and thermochromic
inks, liquid crystalline materials and thermochromic
tapes..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. A label comprising an integral battery voltmeter having:
A) a dielectric layer; B) a conductive layer above or below the
dielectric layer; and C) a temperature sensitive color indicator
layer in thermal contact with the conductive layer, characterized
in that 1) the conductive layer has i) sufficient heat generating
capacity to affect a change in the temperature sensitive color
indicator layer and ii) sufficient thermal insulating means under
one of its surfaces to overcome heat sinking when the voltmeter is
in contact with a battery having an electrically conductive housing
and 2) the voltmeter includes means for forming an electrical
switch with the electrically conductive battery
housing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. A label according to claim 36 wherein the temperature
insulating means is formed by placing a temperature insulating
material under the conductive layer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. A label according to claim 36 wherein the temperature
insulating means forms an air pocket..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. A battery having a label with an integral voltmeter;
wherein the voltmeter comprises: A) a dielectric layer; B) a
conductive layer above or below the dielectric layer; and C) a
temperature sensitive color indicator layer in thermal contact with
the conductive layer, characterized in that 1) the conductive layer
has i) sufficient heat generating capacity to affect a change in
the temperature sensitive color indicator layer and ii) sufficient
thermal insulating means under one of its surfaces to overcome heat
sinking when the voltmeter is in contact with a battery having an
electrically conductive housing and 2) the voltmeter includes means
for forming an electrical switch with the electrically conductive
battery housing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.40. A battery according to claim 39 wherein the insulating
means is formed by inserting a temperature insulating material
between the battery surface and the conductive layer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. A battery according to claim 39 wherein insulating means
is an air pocket under the dielectric substrate under the area of
the conductive layer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.42. A battery with an integral voltmeter comprising: a
battery having terminals of opposite polarity and being defined by
a battery can and a voltmeter integral with said voltmeter
comprising: a conductive layer; a temperature sensitive color
indicator layer in thermal contact with the conductive layer,
wherein the conductive layer has sufficient heat generating
capacity to effect a change in the temperature sensitive color
indicator layer; means to provide thermal insulation between the
conductive layer and the battery can to prevent the battery from
acting as a heat sink for the conductive layer; and electrical
switch means positioned, when activated, to couple electrically the
conductive layer and the battery can so that current may flow
through the conductive layer to effect a color change in the
temperature sensitive color indicator layer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.43. A battery according to claim 42, wherein the conductive
layer has a narrow portion which widens along at least part of the
conductive layer to a wide portion and is positioned so that
current can flow between the narrow and wide portions when the
electrical switch means is activated, wherein the extent to which
the conductive layer is heated between the wide and narrow portions
is related to the battery's voltage and the extent to which the
temperature sensitive color indicator layer undergoes a color
change indicates the voltage and level of heating..Iaddend.
.Iadd.44. A battery according to claim 42, wherein the means to
provide thermal insulation is a thermal insulation
material..Iaddend.
.Iadd.45. A battery according to claim 42, wherein the temperature
sensitive color indicator layer is formed from a color reversible
temperature sensitive material selected from group consisting of
thermochromic inks, liquid crystalline materials, and thermochromic
tapes..Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. A battery according to claim 42, wherein the temperature
sensitive color indicator layer changes from: A) a color to
colorless; B) colorless to a color; C) one color to a second
color..Iaddend.
.Iadd.47. A battery having an integral battery voltage indicator,
wherein the voltage indicator comprises: A) a dielectric layer; B)
a conductive layer above or below the dielectric layer; and C) a
temperature sensitive color indicator material in thermal contact
with the conductive layer, characterized in that: 1) the conductive
layer has i) sufficient heat generating capacity to effect a change
in the temperature sensitive color indicator material and ii) means
to transfer sufficient heat generated by the conductive layer to
the temperature sensitive color indicator material to change the
color thereof and indicate voltage when the voltage indicator is in
contact with a battery housing, and 2) the voltage indicator
includes means for forming an electrical switch with an
electrically conductive portion of the battery
housing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.48. A battery having a battery strength indicator comprising:
a rechargeable dry cell battery having a first terminal and a
second terminal; a battery strength indicator formed in a layer
attached to a side of said battery which undergoes a visible change
when subject to predetermined voltage output of said battery and a
first conductor electrically connected between one end of said
indicator and said first battery terminal; and a battery switch
comprising a resilient, non-conductive, deformable layer on a side
of said battery, a switch chamber disposed beneath said resilient
layer, and a second conductor extending from said switch chamber
and connected to the other end of the indicator, said portion of
said second conductive lead within its said switch chamber
comprising a switch contact, said battery switch being biased in an
electrically open position, whereby upon pressing of the resilient
layer over said switch chamber, the switch contact will be placed
in electric contact with a conductive layer in electrical contact
with said second battery terminal, thereby placing the indicator in
electrical contact across the terminals of the battery to indicate
to the user the strength of the battery..Iaddend.
.Iadd.49. The battery of claim 48 wherein said battery strength
indicator comprises: A) a dielectric layer; B) a conductive layer
above or below the dielectric layer, one end of said conductive
layer being electrically connected to said first battery terminal
and the other end of said conductive layer being electrically
connected to said switch chamber; and C) a temperature sensitive
color indicator material in thermal contact with the conductive
layer, characterized in that: 1) the conductive layer has i)
sufficient heat generating capacity to effect a change in the
temperature sensitive color indicator material and ii) means to
transfer sufficient heat generated by the conductive layer to the
temperature sensitive color indicator material to change the color
thereof and indicate voltage when th voltage indicator is in
contact with a battery housing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.50. The battery of claim 48 wherein said battery strength
indicator comprises a chemical redox composition which changes
color when the voltage potential across the terminals of the
battery crosses a pre-determined voltage..Iaddend.
.Iadd.51. The battery of claim 48 wherein said battery strength
indicator comprises a liquid crystal composition which changes
color when the voltage potential across the terminals of the
battery crosses a pre-determined voltage..Iaddend.
.Iadd.52. The battery of claim 48 wherein said battery strength
indicator comprises a conductive layer which has a reduced
cross-sectional area in contact with a heat sensitive color
indicating material adapted to undergo a color change when the
temperature of the reduced cross-sectional area of the conductive
layer rises to a pre-determined temperature when the voltage
potential across the terminals of the battery crosses a
pre-determined voltage..Iaddend.
.Iadd.53. The battery of claim 48 wherein said battery strength
indicator comprises a light emitting diode that undergoes a visible
change when the voltage potential across the terminals of the
battery crosses a pre-determined voltage..Iaddend.
.Iadd.54. A battery package having a battery strength indicator
comprising: a package frame; rechargeable batteries mounted on said
package frame, each of said batteries having first and second
terminals; a battery strength indicator mounted on said package
frame and electrically connected to a first terminal of one of said
batteries; and a battery switch comprising a resilient,
non-conductive layer disposed over said package frame, a switch
chamber disposed beneath said resilient layer, a pair of switch
contacts normally spaced apart in said chamber, one of said switch
contacts being electrically connected to said battery strength
indicator and the other of said switch contacts being electrically
connected to a second terminal of one of said batteries, said
battery switch being biased in an electrically open position,
whereby upon pressing of the resilient layer over said switch
chamber, the switch contacts will place said indicator in
electrical contact across the terminals of said batteries..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved battery having a
built-in strength indicator device for determining the strength,
voltage, or capacity of the battery. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a battery having an indicator cell which
visually indicates when the battery is above or below a
predetermined voltage value, an LED array which indicates when the
battery is above or below a predetermined voltage value, or a redox
cell which indicates when the voltage output is above or below a
predetermined voltage by a color change.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Batteries are employed extensively in this country and abroad for
automobiles, homes uses, industrial uses, recreational uses, and
military uses. A battery is normally tested by measuring its
voltage output without a load. If the voltage is below a
predetermined value, and the voltage characteristics of the battery
with respect to the battery's capacity are known, one can determine
whether the battery has sufficient capacity to perform a desired
function. A more accurate indication of the battery's condition can
be determined by noting the voltage drop of the battery under a
load. A well-charged battery will experience only a slight voltage
drop under a load, whereas a depleted battery will undergo a
significant voltage drop under a load. For a wet-cell battery, the
work capacity of the battery can frequently be determined by
measuring the specific density of the electrolyte.
A dry-cell battery does not have a reservoir liquid electrolyte;
thus, its capacity cannot be determined by taking specific gravity
measurements. In addition, volt-meters are expensive, as are
devices for measuring the voltage output of a battery, both under a
load and under no load. Accordingly, most batteries are purchased
or used without the purchaser/user knowing the true condition of
the battery.
Recently, the manufacturer of DURACELL-brand batteries has been
date-marking its packages to indicate by which date the battery
should be in use. Although this date-stamping may be of some
benefit to purchasers, it does not tell the purchaser the actual
condition of the battery. Moreover, date-stamping of the package
does not include date-stamping of the battery; thus, the purchaser
has no idea of the use-date of a particular battery once it has
been removed from the package.
Our related U.S. patent application identified above discloses a
flashing with a built-in battery tester having a voltmeter,
ammeter, or visual-indicating chemical or LED cell to indicate when
the battery's voltage output is above or below a predetermined
value.
Flashlights, portable lanterns, portable radios and television
cameras, video recorders, portable dictating machine, and the like
are used extensively in this country and abroad. Almost every home
and business has at least one flashlight or portable lantern and a
radio. Many home and businesses have numerous devices, such as
recorders, portable radios and televisions, video recorders,
calculators, cameras, and the like, which utilize batteries for
their energy source. Some of the devices, such as flashlights, are
used on an infrequent basis, that is, during an emergency situation
where there has been a power failure or when it is not convenient
to use a light source powered by conventional household current,
such as for outdoor use or use in an unlighted attic or crawl
space. Other devices, such as portable radios, are used
extensively. The majority of these battery powered devices use
dry-cell nonchargeable batteries. Nonrechargeable alkaline
batteries sold under the trademarks EVEREADY, DURACELL, RAYOVAC,
and the like, have a number of advantages over rechargeable
batteries. On a weight-to-weight and volume-to-volume basis, the
alkaline battery can supply three to four times the wattage of a
rechargeable battery. In addition, nonrechargeable dry-cell
rechargeable batteries put out a higher voltage than dry-cell
rechargeable batteries. Many dry-cell rechargeable batteries, even
if not in use, have to be periodically charged to keep the
batteries from falling below a defined charge level to prevent
permanent damage to the batteries. Alkaline batteries, which are
used frequently, can have a shelf or storage life of from three to
five years. During this period, no maintenance of the battery is
required. In contrast, most rechargeable batteries wet-cell and
dry-cell will completely discharge within six months or less of
their last recharge.
Most individuals test their batteries by turning on the device in
which the batteries are installed. If the device operates, the
individual is normally satisfied that the batteries are
operational. Some individuals will test the batteries on a battery
tester to determine the condition of the batteries. Some
individuals will even test the batteries under both loaded and
unloaded conditions to measure the voltage drop. Although it is not
complicated to test batteries, it is time consuming to disassemble
a device, remove the batteries, test the batteries, and if they pa
; the test, reinstall the batteries in the device. It is normally
not possible to test new batteries at the time of purchase because
of the battery protective packaging.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide
an improved battery having a built-in battery-strength indicator
which permits one to immediately determine the battery's strength
or condition. Thus, with the improved battery of the present
invention, a user can quickly and effortlessly determine the
strength or condition of a battery. When a battery is easily
tested, as the battery of the present invention, the user of the
battery is more likely to routinely checd condition of the
battery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved battery
comprising: (a) a battery; and (b) a battery-strength indicator
means to indicate the strength of the battery when electrically
connected to the battery.
Optionally, the battery will include a switch means adapted in an
"on" position to electrically connect and complete a circuit
between the battery and the indicator means.
The battery-strength indicator means can comprise: (a) a
nonconductive base layer; (b) a nonconductive top layer attacked to
the base layer, a portion of the top layer and base layer forming a
chamber therebetween; (c) first and second conductive means
separately and independently positioned between the top layer and
the base layer and extending into the chamber, the ends of the
conductive means in said sealed chamber forming electrodes, the
other ends of the conductive means adapted to electrically
connected to the battery; and (d) indicator means in said sealed
chamber adapted to undergo a visible change when the voltage
potential across the electrode exceed or crosses a predetermined
voltage.
The indicator means can be a liquid-crystal composition that
changes phases when the field between the electrodes or plates
exceeds or crosses a predetermined voltage value. Preferably the
chamber is sealed.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the battery
strength indicator means comprises: (a) a first nonconductive
layer; (b) a second nonconductive layer attached to the first
layer, a portion of the fist and second layers forming a chamber
therebetween, said chamber having first and second internal
opposing walls; (c) a third nonconductive layer having a high
dielectric constant attached to the first internal wall of said
chamber; (d) a first conductive plate means sandwiched between the
third insulating layer and the first internal wall and isolate from
the chamber. (e) a second conductive plate means on the second
internal wall; (f) first and second conductive means separately and
independently positioned between the first and second nonconductive
layer, the ends of the conductive means electrically connected to
the first and second conductive plate means respectively, the other
ends of the conductive means adapted to be electrically connected
to the battery; and (g) a liquid-crystal composition in said sealed
chamber adapted to undergo a visible phase change when the electric
field between the first and second plate means exceeds or crosses a
predetermined value.
Preferably the chamber is sealed.
One embodiment of the switch means of the present invention
comprises: (a) a nonconductive base layer; (b) a resilient
nonconductive top layer attached to the base layer, a portion of
the top and base layers forming a chamber having first and second
internal spaced apart opposing wells; (c) a first contact means on
the first internal wall of the chamber; (d) a second contact means
on the second internal wall of the chamber; (e) first and second
conductive layers independently and separately sandwiched between
the top layer and the base layer and connected to the first and
second plate means respectively, the top layer about the chamber
adapted to be pushed toward the base layer so that the first and
second contact means come in contact to permit current to flow from
the first conductive means to the second conductive means.
In and alternative embodiment of the switch means of the present
invention, the switch means comprises: (a) a nonconductive base
layer; (b) a resilient nonconductive top layer attached to the base
layer, a portion of the top and base layers forming a chamber
having first and second internal spaced apart opposing walls; (c)
first and second spaced apart conductive contact means on the first
internal wall of the switch chamber; (d) third conductive contact
means on the second internal wall of the chamber; and (e) first and
second conductive means independently and separately sandwiched
between the top layer and base layer and connected to the first and
second conductive contact means respectively, the top layer about
the chamber adapted to be pushed toward the base layer so that the
third conductive contact means contacts the first and second
conductive contact means to complete an electrical connection
between the first and second conductive contact means.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the
battery-strength indicator means comprises: (a) a first
nonconductive layer; (b) a second nonconductive layer attached to
the first nonconductive layer, a portion of said first and second
nonconductive layers forming a chamber therebetween; (c) a
conductive layer sandwiched between said first and second
nonconductive layers, the conductive layer reduced to a small
cross-sectional area in the chamber; and (d) a heat sensitive
color-indicating material in said sealed chamber that is adapted to
undergo a color change when its temperature exceeds or crosses a
predetermined value, said conductive layer in the chamber rising to
a predetermined temperture when the voltage of the current flowing
there-through exceeds a predetermined value.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the
battery-strength indicator means comprises: (a) a first
nonconductive layer; (b) a second nonconductive layer attached to
the first nonconductive layer, a portion of said first and second
nonconductive layers forming a chamber therebetween; (c) a
conductive layer sandwiched between said first and second
nonconductive layers, the conductive layer reduced to a small cross
sectional area in the chamber; (d) a pyrotechnic material contained
within said chamber and adapted to decompose when the temperature
of the first section of the conductive layer in the chamber exceeds
a predetermined temperature, the first section of the conductive
layer adapted to exceed said predetermined temperature when the
voltage of the current through the conductive layer in the chamber
exceeds a predetermined value.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the
battery-strength indicator means comprises: (a) a first
nonconductive layer; (b) a second nonconductive layer attached to
the first nonconductive layer, a portion of said first and second
nonconductive layers forming a chamber therebetween; and (c) a
conductive layer sandwiched between said first and second
nonconductive layers, the conductive layer reduced to a small cross
sectional area in the chamber such that when the voltage of current
flow through the conductive layer in the chamber exceeds a
predetermined value, the temperature of the conductive layer in the
chamber exceeds the melting temperature of the conductive layer
causing the conductive layer to melt and form an open circuit.
The invention also comprises an improved battery package having a
battery-strength indicator means comprising: (a) at least one
battery; (b) a battery-strength indicator means comprising: (i) a
battery-strength indicator device for indicating the strength of
said battery when electrically connected to said battery; and (ii)
conductive means adapted to electrically connect said indicator
device to said battery; and (c) packaging means for said battery
and battery strength indicator means.
Optionally, the improved batteries can have switch means to
electrically connect the battery strength indicator to the battery.
Preferably the chambers of the battery strength indicators are
selected chambers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of a battery-strength indicator device of the
present invention;
FIG. 1A is a top view of a battery-strength indicator device of the
present invention with a switch;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery of the present invention
having a battery-strength indicator device;
FIG. 3 is a vertical, sectional view along lines 3--3 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a battery-strength indicator device of
the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a vertical, sectional view along line 5--5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a vertical, sectional view of a switch of the present
invention with the switch in the off position;
FIG. 7 illustrates is a vertical, sectional view of a switch of the
present invention with the switch in the "on" position;
FIG. 8 is a vertical, sectional view of an alternative switch of
the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a vertical, sectional view of an alternative embodiment
of the battery-strength indicator device of the present
invention;
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of the
battery-strength indicator device of the present invention;
FIG. 11 show a top plan view of still a further embodiment of the
battery-strength indicator device of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the battery packaging of the
present invention having a battery-strength indicator device;
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the battery packaging circuitry
of the present invention having a battery-strength indicator
device;
FIG. 14 is a vertical, sectional view of an alternative embodiment
of the switch of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a vertical, sectional view of another embodiment of the
battery-strength indicator device of the present invention; and
FIG. 16 is an enlarged, sectional view within encircled line 16 of
FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a battery-strength indicator device 10 of the
present invention is illustrated. The indicator device has an
indicator chamber, cell or bubble 12 formed in strip 16. Preferably
the cells of the present invention are sealed cells. Conductive
layers 14 run the length of the strip into the indicator bubble to
form spaced apart electrodes. The indicator bubble contains an
indicating material 17 which undergoes a visible change when the
voltage potential across the indicator cell exceeds a predetermined
value. At least one side of the strip 16 is transparent or
translucent.
The improved battery 18 of the present invention is illustrated in
FIG. 2. The battery has an anode 20 and a cathode at its base (not
shown). The indicator device 10 is attached to the side of the
battery, with the ends of the device connected to the anode 20 and
the cathode. If the device is a constant-drain device, that is, the
device is on continuously, the indicator cell undergoes a visble
change when the output voltage of the battery drops below a
predetermined value. In an alternative embodiment of the invention,
the battery has the indicator device of FIG. 1A, which includes a
strip 16, conductive leads 14, an indicator cell 12, and a switch
24. The switch is biased to be in an off position, and, thus, the
indicator device is only actuated when the switch is on, thus
preventing a constant drain on the battery.
Referring to FIG. 3, the indicator device 10A comprised a first
layer 30, a second layer 32, and a conductive layer or lead 14
sandwiched between the first and second layers. The end of the
conductive leads extend into the indicator chamber or cell 12,
which is filled with an indicator material 33. The ends of the
conductive leads form electrodes 36. The second layer of the device
of FIG. 3 is formed with the bulge 37 which forms one side of the
cell. The other side of the cell is formed by the first layer. The
first layer can be a clear material, a translucent material, or an
opaque material. The second layer is preferably a clear or
translucent material. The first layer can be an opaque material as
long as the bulge area is clear or translucent. If the first layer
is opaque, the inner side 31 of the first layer can be coated with
a reflective material such as aluminum or aluminum foil, or a
highly reflective white material to enhance visibility of the
indicator material.
The indicator material can be any material that will undergo a
visible change, such as a color change, when the voltage potential
across the electrodes exceeds or drops below a predetermined
voltage. For example, the material can be a redox composition, such
as the composition in the Sterling U.S. Pat. No. 1,497,388, or the
compositions disclosed by H.A. Fales and F. Kennym INORGANIC
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS, 1939, pp. 391-393, or like. Alternatively,
the composition can be a liquid-crystal composition, such as one of
the compositions disclosed in Klirk-Othmer, ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, 3rd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, Vol. 7, pp.
724-751 and Vol. 14, pp. 395-427.
The voltage color-indicating device of the present invention
comprises a sealed cell having at least one transparent or
translucent window. The cell is filled with an aqueous or
non-aqueous composition, such as an aqueous phenophthalein
solution. Two spaced-apart electrodes of the cell are in contact
with the color-indicating solution. When a voltage potential is
induced across the electrodes, a redox reaction occurs which can
cause a color change in the color-indicating solution. Each
solution has its own unique threshold voltage wherein the redox
reaction will commence. If the voltage of the battery is below that
threshold voltage, no redox reaction will occur and there will be
no color change.
An alternative embodiment of the battery-strength indicator device
10B of the present is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The indicator
device 10B has a first layer 30, and a second layer 32a, and
conductive leads or layers 14 sandwiched therebetween. The second
layer 32a has a depression or cavity 38 which defines one side of
the indicator cell 12; the other side of the cell being defined by
the inner surface 31 of the first layer 30. The cavity is
illustrated with curved surfaces, it can also have straight sides
arranged in perpendicular or nonperpendicular fashion. One or both
of the layers are transparent or translucent. Although the drawing
illustrates the layers as being relatively thick, in actual
practice the layers can be quite thin, such as 1 or 2 mils, with
the cell having a maximum height or depth of 0.5 or 1 mil. One
embodiment of the switch 44 of the present invention is illustrated
in FIGS. 6 and 7. The switch 44 has a base layer 46 and a resilient
top layer 48, which is attached to the base layer. Conductive leads
or layers 50a and 50b are sandwiched between the two layers. The
conductive layer 50a on the left side of the device is separated
from the conductive layer 50b on the right side of the device by
spacing 51. A portion of the top layer is bulged out to form a
bubble element 56. A conductive strip or coating 54 is attached to
the inner side 55 of the bubble element. The bubble element is
biased away from the base layer 46 as shown in FIG. 6 so that the
conductive strip or coating does not come in contact with the
switch contacts 52. Thus, the switch is normally in the off
position. When the bubble element is pressed downwardly towards the
base layer as shown in FIG. 7, the conductive strip 54 contacts the
switch contacts 52; thus bridging the contacts and permitting
current flow across the contacts between the conductive leads or
layers 50a and 50b, as illustrated FIG. 7. When pressure is removed
from the bubble element, the bubble element biases away from the
base layer, breaking contact between the two contacts 52.
An alternative embodiment of the switch 44A of the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 8. This switch has a base layer
46, a resilient top layer 48, and conductive leads or layers 50
sandwiched between the two layers. The top layer is bulged out to
form a bubble element 56. The switch contacts 52 are located on the
inner sides of the bubble element. A conductive strip 54 or coating
is attached to the inner side of the base layer 46. This switch
operates in the same manner as does the switch of FIGS. 6 and 7.
The bubble element is depressed to have the switch contacts 52 make
contact with the conductive strip 54; thus, electrically bridging
the two contacts. The bubble element is biased away from the top
layer so that the switch is normally in an off position. When
pressure is removed form the bubble element, the bubble element
biases away from the conductive strip; thus, breaking contact
between the switch contacts and the conductive strip.
Another embodiment of the battery-strength indicator device of the
present invention is illustrated in FIG. 9. The device 10C has a
first layer 30 and a second layer 32. Conductive layers 14a and 14b
are independently and separately sandwiched between the first and
second layers on the left and right sides respectively of the
device. A portion of the first layer is formed into a bulge 37 to
form the indicator cell 12. A plate or electrode 60a is attached to
the inner surface 31 of the top layer within the cell and is
electrically connected with conductive layer 14a. A second plate or
electrode 60b is attached to the inner side 35 of the second layer
32 within the indicator cell and is electrically connected to the
conductive layer 14b. The indicator cell is filled with an
indicator material 17, such as the material described above. At
least one of the layers and its attached plate are transparent or
translucent (or one of the layers is transparent or translucent and
its attached plate is extremely thin) so that change to the
indicator material are visible.
The basic architecture of the indicator device of FIG. 9 can also
be utilized for another embodiment of the switch of the present
invention. When the architecture is employed as a switch, the bulge
37 is biased away from the second layer 32, and the indicator cell
is not filled with an indicator material. Two switch contacts
replace the electrodes 60a and 60b and the switch operates when the
bulge is depressed downwardly to make the contact between the
switch contact attached to the inner side of the first layer and
the switch contact mounted on the inner side of the second
layer.
Another embodiment of the battery-strength indicator device of the
present invention is shown in FIG. 10. The indicator device 10D is
a strip like device having first and second superimposed layers 30
and 32 which are attached together in the same manner as strips 30
and 32 in FIG. 3. At least one of the strips is transparent.
Conductive layers 64 are sandwiched between the first and second
layers. The conductive layer is reduced to a small cross-section 65
in the indicator zone 66. Within the indicator zone, the conductive
layer is covered with a small amount of a pyrotechnic chemical 68
sensitive to heat. Surrounding the pyrotechnic chemical is a color
indicating, heat-sensitive material 70 which will undergo a visible
color change, either permanent or temporary, when the material is
heated to at least a predetermined temperature. This
battery-strength indicator device is a one-shot device; the
pyrotechnic chemical will only decompose or react once. The
pyrotechnic chemical undergoes rapid decomposition when it is
heated to a predetermined temperature. The resistance of the
conductive layer in the reduced cross-sectional area 65 is selected
such that current flow at a minimum predetermined voltage through
the conductive layer will raise the area to a predetermined
temperature which will cause the pyrotechnic chemical to decompose
or otherwise react. The pyrotechnic chemical in turn will raise the
temperature of the color-indicating, heat sensitive material to the
predetermined temperature for color change.
Although the indicator device of FIG. 10D is shown with a
color-indicating, heat-sensitive material, the device can also be
fabricated with the pyrotechnic chemical alone, thereby causing a
slight charring to the strip which is noticeable. One of the strips
can also be made of a material that is sensitive to temperature and
will undergo a visible change when the temperature exceeds a
predetermined value. Alternatively, the device can be fabricated
without the pyrotechnic chemical, relying on the color-indicating,
heat-sensitive material alone to indicate whether the battery has a
predetermined minimal voltage output. If the color indicating,
heat-sensitive material undergoes a non-permanent color change when
exposed to a predetermined temperature, then the battery-strength
indicator device of FIG. 10D can be used repeatedly to determine if
the output voltage of the battery meets a predetermined voltage
level.
A further embodiment of the battery-strength indicator device of
the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 11. The
battery-strength indicator device 10E has first and second layers
30 and 32 which are sandwiched together like layers 30 and 32 in
FIG. 3. The conductive layers 64 are sandwiched between the first
and second layers. The conductive layer is reduced to a small
cross-section area 75 within the indicator cell 66. The resistance
of the conductive layer and the cross-sectional area 75 are
selected such that the current flow of a predetermined minimum
voltage potential through the conductive layer will melt the area
75 in the fashion of a fuse element, causing the conductive strip
area 75 to become an open circuit. The vaporization of the melted
conductive strip forms a visible sign that the area 75 was heated
to a predetermined temperature which can only be achieved when the
device is subject to a predetermined minimum voltage.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. A
battery package 84 comprises two batteries 18 mounted on a package
frame 82. Conductive leads 14a and 14b are affixed to the base of
the frame in electrical contact with the cathode 22 of the battery.
A conductive lead 14 connects the leads 14a and 14b with a battery
strength-indicator 10, such as the ones described herein. A
conductive layer 50 connects the indicator 10 with the switch 44
which in turn is connected to a conductive T-connection 86. The
T-connection is electrically connected to the battery anodes 20 via
conductive layer 50 and conductive flaps 86. The package is
intended to be covered with a transparent cover giving physical
access to the switch 44 and visual access to the indicator 10. In
the embodiment if FIG. 12 the batteries are in parallel. FIG. 13
illustrates the circuitry of a battery package containing two
batteries that are connected in series to the switch 44 and
indicator 10.
In the preferred embodiment of the conductive leads, switch and
indicator are layers attached to the package frame. The conductive
leads may be printed or silk screened directly on the package
frame. The package frame can be the base nonconductive layer for
the switch 44 and indicator 10.
Another embodiment of the switch 44 of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 14. The switch has a base layer 46 and a top
layer 48, which is attached to the base layer. Conductive leads or
layers 50a and 50b are sandwiched between the two layers. The
conductive layer on the left side of the device is formed into
switch contact 62a in chamber 40 and the conductive layer 50b on
the right side of the device is formed into switch contact 52b in
the chamber. A portion of the top layer and bottom layer are bulged
out top from bubble elements 56a and 56b. The bubble elements are
biased away from each other so that the switch contacts do not come
in contact. Thus, the switch is normally in the off position. When
the bubble elements are pressed together as shown by the arrows in
FIG. 14, the switch contacts come in contact permitting current
flow across the contacts and the conductive leads or layers 50a and
50b. When pressure is removed from the bubble elements, the bubble
elements bias away from each other, breaking contact between the
two switch contacts.
The present invention permits the user of a battery to quickly
determine whether the capacity of the battery is above or below a
given point without the use of a voltmeter and/or ammeter. The
approximate capacity of a battery can be determined by the
battery's no load output voltage. The indicator device of the
present invention can be fabricated so that it indicates a
particular no-load voltage threshold. For example, one can select a
voltage threshold which is indicative that the battery is about 20%
exhausted, or about 50% exhausted--whatever is suitable for the
intended purpose.
The indicator having a liquid-crystal composition comprises a
sealed, fully-enclosed cell containing the liquid-crystal
composition. Preferably, one side of the cell will be transparent,
and not merely translucent. The base layer of the liquid-crystal
indicator cell can be a high-dielectric material, optionally coated
with a di-electric mirror in contact with the liquid-crystal
composition. The top layer is preferably transparent and,
optionally, has a transparent, conductive coating applied to the
surface in contact with the liquid-crystal composition. A voltage
differential is induced across the liquid-crystal composition to
either the base high-dielectric material or the high-dielectric
transparent top layer to induce electric field. An electric field
change can cause changes in the optical properties of liquid
crystals, such as when a liquid crystal changes from a nematic
phase to a smectic phase. Such field are easily achieved, even with
small voltage inputs from batteries, by employing a high-dielectric
base material and/or a high dielectric top layer material. Thus,
when the liquid-crystal detector of the present invention is in a
non-energized state, it will have one optical appearance
characteristic of the `at rest` phase of the liquid crystal. When
the indicator device is activated, and a field is generated across
the liquid-crystal composition, the liquid-crystal composition will
transform into another phase. Alternatively, the indicator can
remain in an "always on" condition and provide a constant
indication of battery strength. If batteries do not have sufficient
voltage to achieve the threshold high-dielectric field, thereby
changing the liquid-crystal composition from one phase to the
other, no change will be observed. Thus, each liquid-crystal
indicator cell will be tailored by controlling the thickness of the
dielectric material in the sandwich, the distance between the
plates or electrodes, and the dielectric composition. Typical
liquid-crystal compositions that can be employed include
methoxybenzylidenebutylaniline and
terephthal-bis-p-butyl-aniline.
In the indicator device of FIG. 15, the electrodes 62b and 62a are
independently and separately sandwiched between the first high
dielectric constant layer and the third nonconductive layer 30 and
34 and the first layer and second nonconductive layers 30 and 32,
respectively. A bulge extending outwardly from the first layer is
formed in the second layer to form an indicator cell 40. Within the
cell on the inner side of the second layer 32 and a plate 62a is
attached or coated and electrically connected to lead 14b. Plate
62b is positioned below the indicator cell between the first and
third layers and is electrically connected to conductive layer 14a.
The indicator cell 12 is filled with a liquid-crystal composition
40. The second layer and plate 62a and/or the first and third
layers and plate 62b are transparent or translucent so that changes
to the liquid-crystal composition 40 are visible. The bottom of the
chamber can include a highly reflective coating or the like to
enhance observation of the changes to composition 40. The
arrangement of the first, second, and third layers of the
conductive layer 14a is shown in the enlarged, sectional view of
FIG. 16.
Other constructions of the battery strength indicators and switches
are contemplated within the scope of this invention. For example,
in indicator can be fabricated with conductive top and base layers
which sandwich a nonconductive layer. A cell is formed between the
top and bottom layers as described herein. The nonconductive layer
does not extend into the cell; this layer, however, does
electrically insulate the top layer from the bottom layer. The cell
is filled with an indicator material as described herein and the
top and bottom layer are independently adopted to be connected to
different poles of a battery. The top and/or bottom layer are
transparent or translucent.
Another indicator embodiment contemplated by the present invention
is similar to indicator 10D of FIG. 10. This alternative embodiment
has top and base layers sandwiching a conductive layer that is
reduced to a small cross-sectional area in a indicator region of
the indicator. The top layer and/or base layer undergo color
changes when the temperature crosses a predetermined threshold. The
conductive layer in the indicator region is adopted to exceed the
predetermined temperature threshold when the voltage potential
across the conductive layer exceeds a predetermined voltage.
In another embodiment of the indicator, the indicator can use a
BIOMETAL material of TOKI AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. of Irvine,
Calif. BIOMETAL material is a shape memory alloy which changes its
internal structure at a predetermined temperature and takes on an
entirely new space. A BIOMETAL material can be used in place of the
pyrotechnic material or color indicating material of the device 10D
of FIG. 10x to indicate whether the battery has a predetermined
voltage.
The present invention can be used with a dry cell battery or with a
wet-cell battery and with both rechargeable and nonrechargeable
batteries. However, for purposes of convenience, the invention has
been described herein with respect to a dry-cell battery.
The modern nonrechargeable alkaline dry-cell battery has a
declining output voltage over its useful life. A new battery has an
output voltage of about 1.60 volts. After one hour of continuous
use, a battery's voltage output (no-load) drop to between 1.40
volts and 1.45 volts. Thereafter, for the majority of the battery's
useful life, the battery's no-load voltage gradually decreases in a
somewhat linear fashion. As a battery approaches the end of its
useful life, the no-load voltage drops to about 1.0 volt. However,
the battery still has some capacity and can be marginally used in
this weakened conditioned for very brief periods of time. When the
battery's voltage drops below 1.0 volt, the battery is near the end
of its life, and the remaining capacity of the battery is very
limited. Near the point of exhaustion, the battery's output voltage
rapidly drops from about 1.0 volt to about 0.5 or 0.6 volt.
The light-output candle-power of a portable lantern or flashlight
bulb is somewhat sensitive to the battery voltage. Incandescent
lamps are designed to operate optimally at a specific voltage. If
the voltage is appreciably exceeded (such as by 50%) for any period
of time, the film of the lamp will rapidly melt or vaporize,
destroying the lamp. Most lamps are designed for voltages in
increments of 1.2 volts. Thus, portable-lantern incandescent lamps
are designed optimally for an output voltage of about 4.8 volts (a
6-volt lantern), and single-cell, double-cell, triple-cell,
four-cell, and five-cell flashlight incandescent lamp are designed
for an output voltage of 1.2, 2.4, 3.6, 4.8, and 6.0 volts
respectively. However, flashlight and latern bulbs will operate
effectively over a broad range, for example, a two-cell lantern
bulb or lamp will operate effectively from about 3.2 volts to about
2.0 volts. However, when the voltage of each battery drops below
1.0 volt, the output of the incandescent lamp is noticeably
affected, and the color of the emitted light shifts from a
yellow-white light to a yellow-red light.
Three sets of batteries were tested in three identical flashlights,
with the batteries being switched between the flashlights on a
routine basis. The results of the tests are shown in the following
tables. (The Roman numerals I, II, and III indicate the flashlight,
and the numbers 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B indicate the individual
batteries). The first set of batteries (1A and 1B) were ENERGIZER
brand alkaline batteries; the second set (2A and 2B) were DURACELL
brand alkaline batteries, and the third set (3A and 3B) were
EVEREADY brand zinc-carbon batteries. The batteries were "D" size
batteries. Battery 2A failed after 32 hours and was replaced with a
3-year old DURACELL alkaline battery having a no-load voltage of
0.99 volt.
The flashlights were two-cell flashlights having incandescent
lamps. The incandescent lamps were rated at 1.2 volts and 0.5 amp.
The cold-filament internal resistance of the incandescent lamps was
about 0.4 amp. The hot-filament internal resistance of the
incandescent lamps was not measured.
Each flashlight was loaded with a set of batteries and turned on.
From time to time, the flashlights were turned off and the no-load
output voltage of the batteries was measured. On a periodic basis,
the output voltage of the batteries under load was also measured.
The tests were not run on a continuous, 24-hour basis, but were run
for periods of approximately 12 hours during the first two days,
about 3 hours the third day, about 7 hours the fourth day, about 6
hours the ninth day, and 20 minutes the tenth day. No tests were
conducted during the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth days. The
results show that the useful life of a battery is near exhaustion
when the voltage of the battery has fallen below 1.0 volt. After
the voltage of the battery drops below 1.0, the discharge rate of
the battery (indicated by the voltage drop) can exceed 0.5 volt in
a half-hour.
It appears, from the tables, that the useful life of the 1A and 1B
batteries is about 28 to 29 hours and the half-life is about 14
hours where the output voltage is about 1.2 volts. When the output
voltage of the batteries is about 1.3 volts, the batteries have
about 75% of their operating life remaining. When the voltage of
the batteries is about 1.1 volts, the batteries have about 25% of
their useful life remaining.
The 2A and 2B batteries appear to have a useful life of about 23
hours and a half-life of about 12 hours where the output voltage is
about 1.2. When the output voltage of the batteries is about 1.3
volts, the batteries have about 75% of their useful life remaining.
When the output voltage drops to about 1.15 volts, the batteries
have only about 25% of their remaining useful life.
Batteries 3A and 3B, which are zinc-carbon batteries (LeChanche
cell), had a much shorter life span than the alkaline batteries.
These batteries had a useful life of about 7.5 hours, with a
half-life of about 3.5 to about 4 hours where the output voltage is
about 1.2 volts. When the batteries' output voltage is about 1.3
volts, the batteries have about 75% of their remaining useful life.
When the batteries' output voltage drops to about 1.1 volts, the
batteries only have about 25% of their useful life remaining.
When the no-load output voltage of the batteries dropped below 1.0
volt, all the batteries exhibited rapid voltage drops. When the
batteries reached the end of their useful life, the flashlights
were turned off and the batteries were allowed to rest.
Surprisingly, the batteries' output voltage would rebound and the
batteries could be operated for brief periods. As this cycle of
rest and use was continued, the batteries' ability to rebound
decreased and the batteries experienced much more rapid voltage
drops under the load.
The tests indicate that, when the batteries are fresh, the total
voltage drop of a pair of batteries in series is somewhere from
about 0.45 to about 0.65 volts; that is, the total output voltage
of the two batteries in the flashlight under no-load will be about
3 volts, and under the load will be about 2.5 volts. As the
batteries approached their half-life, the voltage drops for the two
batteries increased to about 0.75-about 0.95 volt. When the
batteries approached the end of their useful life, the voltage drop
was in excess of 1.0 volt; that is, the output voltage of the two
batteries under no-load was from about 2.0 to about 2.2, and the
voltage drop was from about 1.0 volt to about 1.7 volts.
The test also show that, when batteries have reached their
exhaustion point but are allowed to rest for a few hours, their
no-load output voltage will exceed 1.0 volt. However, when the
batteries are then put under a load, the working voltage of the
batteries rapidly drops to as low as 0.6 volt. This voltage drop
can be observed because the output voltage of the batteries in the
weakened condition does not drop in a single-step manner but
continues to drop over time, sometimes taking as long as 30 seconds
to stabilize. For example, two used DURACELL brand alkaline
batteries, each having a no load output voltage of about 0.95 volt,
were placed (i.e., used) in a flashlight for one hour. At the end
of one hour, the no-load output voltage of the batteries was about
0.45 and 0.5 volt, respectively. The batteries were put under a
load, and the voltage immediately dropped between 0.6 and 0.7 volt,
for both batteries in series, and then continued to drop, over a 30
second period, for a final value, for both batteries in a series,
of 0.48 volt. This same type of phenomenon was observed with the
ENERGIZER alkaline batteries and with the EVEREADY brand
zinc-carbon batteries. Thus, the device equipped with exhausted
batteries may give a stong operation for a short period of time,
but then will quickly decrease in power under the on-going
load.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I BATTERY OUTPUT VOLTAGE IN OPERATION
(Incandescent Flashlight Bulb) Time Battery Voltage (Hours) 1A 1B
2A 2B 3A 3B 0.00 1.60 1.60 1.59 1.60 1.60 1.60 1.00 1.45 1.45 1.45
1.45 1.35 1.35 1.50 1.40 1.45 1.40 1.40 1.30 1.30 2.00 1.40 1.40
1.35 1.35 1.30 1.30 2.50 1.39 1.39 1.35 1.35 1.30 1.30 3.50 1.39
1.39 1.32 1.32 1.20 1.20 4.50 1.39 1.39 1.30 1.30 1.20 1.19 5.50
1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.10 1.10 6.50 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.05 1.02
7.50 1.30 1.30 1.29 1.29 1.01 1.01 10.00 1.29 1.29 1.28 1.25 0.89
0.75 11.00 1.28 1.28 1.25 1.25 0.80* 0.55* 12.00 1.25 1.25 1.20
1.20 0.75* 0.60* 12.50 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 0.78* 0.60* TEST
DISCONTINUED FOR 10.25 HOURS 12.50 1.35 1.35 1.36 1.36 1.25 1.20
12.75 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.05 0.90 13.00 1.29 1.29 1.28 1.26 0.95
0.75 13.25 1.27 1.25 1.25 -- 0.80 0.51 13.50 1.26 1.25 1.25 1.25
0.89 0.70 14.10 1.22 1.22 1.21 1.20 0.71 0.55 15.25 1.21 1.21 1.20
1.20 0.91 0.80 16.25 1.21 1.20 1.18 1.18 0.61 0.40 17.25 1.20 1.20
1.18 1.16 0.60 0.00 18.50 1.20 1.19 1.15 1.15 DISCONTINUED 19.50
1.19 1.16 1.10 1.10 DISCONTINUED 20.50 1.13 1.11 1.10 1.10 0.99
0.81 22.25 1.10 1.10 1.08 1.05 0.49 0.00 23.25 1.05 1.05 1.01 1.01
0.55 0.00 24.50 1.05 1.05 0.89 0.93 0.80 0.00 25.75 1.02 1.02 0.49
0.90 DISCONTINUED TEST DISCONTINUED FOR 9 HOURS 25.75 1.19 1.20
1.20 1.20 -- -- 26.75 1.01 1.01 0.99 0.99 -- -- 27.90 1.00 1.00
0.95 0.95 -- -- 28.50 0.99 0.99 0.85 0.86 -- -- TEST DISCONTINUED
FOR 21.5 HOURS 28.50 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.11 -- -- 29.50 0.99 0.99 0.90
0.89 -- -- 32.25 0.95 0.95 0.39 0.95 -- -- TEST DISCONTINUED FOR 2
HOURS 32.25 0.98 0.98 0.99* 0.90 -- -- 34.40 0.81 0.91 0.91* 0.80
-- -- 35.75 .65 .65 .65 .65 -- -- TEST DISCONTINUED FOR 112.5 HOURS
35.75 1.09 1.09 1.12* 1.10 -- -- 40.35 .65 .65 .65* .65 -- -- TEST
DISCONTINUED FOR 3.25 HOURS 40.35 0.98 0.99 0.95* 0.98 -- -- 41.35
0.60 0.52 0.45* 0.50 -- -- TEST DISCONTINUED FOR 13.75 HOURS 41.35
1.01 1.01 0.99* 0.97 -- -- 41.70 0.71 0.79 0.50* 0.70 -- -- TEST
DISCONTINUED FOR 2 MINUTES 41.70 0.90 0.91 0.80* 0.81 -- --
*Replacement for Battery 2A
Table II sets forth the measured battery voltage drop of batteries
1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B under load. The test were commenced when the
batteries passed their operational half-life. As can be seen, the
voltage drop of a battery under a load increased as the battery
approached the end of its useful life. More indicative than the
actual drop, is the amount of time it takes to stabilize the
voltage under load. During the useful life of the battery, a
voltage drop from the no-load voltage to the load voltage of the
battery is an immediate single-step voltage drop. When the
batteries are beyond their useful life, the voltage drop is a
continuous, slow drop that can take some time to stabilize,
sometimes exceeding 30 seconds. This is indicative that the
batteries are exhausting their limited capacities.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE II BATTERY VOLTAGE DROP UNDER LOAD
(Incandescent Flashlight Bulbs) Batteries Batteries 1A & 1B 2A
& 2B Test No Voltage No Voltage Time Load Under Voltage Load
Under Voltage (Hrs) Voltage Load Drop Voltage Load Drop 16.25 2.39
1.96 0.43 2.30 1.88 0.47 18.50 2.35 1.89 0.46 2.28 1.89 0.30 20.50
2.30 1.85 0.45 2.20 1.80 0.40 22.25 2.23 1.80 0.43 2.10 1.71 0.39
23.25 2.15 1.61 0.54 2.05 1.51 0.54 24.50 2.11 1.60 0.51 1.90 1.49
0.41 25.75 -- -- -- 1.94 1.46 0.48 TEST DISCONTINUED FOR 9 HOURS
25.75 2.32 1.70 0.62 2.35 1.75 0.60 26.75 2.08 1.40 0.68 2.01 1.52
0.49 27.90 2.02 1.40 0.62 1.82 1.30 0.52 TEST DISCONTINUED FOR 21.5
HOURS 29.50 1.99 1.29 0.70 1.81 1.20 0.61 32.25 1.92 1.35 0.57
1.49* 0.10* 1.39* TEST DISCONTINUED FOR 112.5 HOURS 35.75 2.18 1.33
0.87 2.21* 1.10* 1.11* TEST DISCONTINUED FOR 3.25 HOURS 41.35 1.80
0.91 0.89 1.00* 0.48* 0.52* *Replacement for Battery 2A
* * * * *