Patent ID: 8361646
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: H01L,H01M,H01R,H05K,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A releasable power cell contact apparatus comprising: a conductive releasable contact movably supported to facilitate movement of the conductive releasable contact toward a terminal of a power cell to form an electrical connection with the terminal when a connection force is applied to the conductive releasable contact toward the terminal, or to facilitate movement of the conductive releasable contact away from the terminal to prevent the electrical connection with the terminal; a magnetic member configured to generate a magnetic field, a magnitude of the magnetic field being a function of a temperature of the magnetic member, the magnetic member being affixed to the conductive releasable contact and positioned to form magnetic coupling with the power cell to thereby apply the connection force to the conductive releasable contact; and a disconnect magnet configured to generate a disconnect force on the conductive releasable contact oriented away from the terminal of the power cell via magnetic coupling generated by a disconnect magnetic field of the disconnect magnet, a magnitude of the disconnect magnetic field generated by the disconnect magnet being a function of the temperature of the disconnect magnet, the magnetic member, or both, wherein the releasable power cell contact apparatus is included within a multi-cell housing comprising a plurality of power cells, and wherein the releasable power cell contact apparatus is removable from the multi-cell housing without removal of any one of the plurality of power cells.