Method for fabricating battery shell

A non-contact input apparatus for computer peripheral includes an induction module and a pointing module. The induction module includes an electric supply coil and an induction element, and the pointing module includes an energy coil and a non-linear element. The electric supply coil is used to send a first oscillation signal. The energy coil receives the first oscillation signal. The non-linear element converts the first oscillation signal to be a second oscillation signal having multiple higher harmonics. The induction element generates a control signal based on the second oscillation signal.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates to a battery shell, and more particularly to a battery shell where the conductive elements are embedded in the shell.

2. Related Art

Generally, during the manufacturing process of the battery module of an electronic product, a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of metal contacts are electrically combined beforehand to form series connection and parallel connection. Then, the combined battery cells and metal contacts together with the insulating material are packaged in a battery shell to form a battery module.

However, the above manufacturing method needs corresponding room in the battery shell to contain the metal contacts and the insulating material. As a result, the size of the battery shell may be too large and not unfavorable for the miniaturization of the electronic device. Furthermore, the above method may complicate the assembly of a battery module, and thus the working hours and cost may increase.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method for fabricating a battery shell is disclosed. The battery shell is configured to contain n battery cells. The number of battery cells in series connection is s. The method comprises providing a plurality of conductive elements which have m contacts, and forming a casing by way of insert molding with the m contacts exposed. The plurality of conductive elements are embedded in the casing. The number m, n, and s comply with the equation of m=(2×n)+(s+1). The conductive elements are adapted to be connected to the battery cells through the contacts

In another aspect, a method for fabricating a battery shell is disclosed. The battery shell is configured to contain n battery cells. The number of battery cells in series connection is s, and s is an even integer. The method comprises providing a plurality of conductive elements which have m contacts, and forming a casing by way of insert molding with the m contacts exposed. The plurality of conductive elements are embedded in the casing. The number m, n, and s comply with the equation of m=(1.5×n)+(s+1). The conductive elements are adapted to be connected to the battery cells through the contacts

In yet another aspect, a method for fabricating a battery shell. The battery shell is configured to contain n battery cells. The number of battery cells in series connection is s and the number of battery cells in parallel connection is p, wherein s is an odd integer. The method comprises providing a plurality of conductive elements which have m contacts; and forming a casing by way of insert molding with the m contacts exposed. The plurality of conductive elements are embedded in the casing. The number m, n, s, and p comply with the equation m=(1.5×n)+(s+1+0.5p). The conductive elements are adapted to be connected to the battery cells through the contacts

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed characteristics and advantages of the disclosure are described in the following embodiments in details, the techniques of the disclosure can be easily understood and embodied by a person of average skill in the art, and the related objects and advantages of the disclosure can be easily understood by a person of average skill in the art by referring to the contents, the claims and the accompanying drawings disclosed in the specifications.

FIG. 1is a flowchart of a method for fabricating a battery shell according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.

The method comprises the following steps.

A battery shell which is capable of containing n battery cells is defined, and the number of battery cells in series connection is s (S1).

A plurality of conductive elements are provided, and the conductive elements have m contacts (S2). Herein n, s, and m are all positive integers.

A shell is formed by way of insert molding, and the conductive elements are embedded in the shell and the m contacts are exposed outside. Furthermore, the number m, n, and s comply with the equation (1).
m=(2×n)+(s+1)  (1) (S3)

FIG. 2is a structural diagram of a battery shell which is fabricated by the method of the first embodiment.

With reference toFIG. 2, the battery shell10can be used in a laptop, but it is not limited this way. The battery shell10comprises 4 battery cells1. The number of battery cells1in series connection is two, and the number of battery cells1in parallel connection is also two.

The battery shell10comprises a casing100, a first conductive element110, a second conductive element120, and a third conductive element130. The first conductive element110, the second conductive element120, and the third conductive element130may be made of copper or nickel material, while the casing100may be made of insulation plastic. The first conductive element110, the second conductive element120, and the third conductive element130are embedded in the casing100by way of insert molding. The first conductive element110has a power source contact111and two positive pole contacts112and113. The second conductive element120has a test contact121, two positive pole contacts124and125, and two negative pole contacts122and123. The third conductive element has a ground contact131and two negative pole contacts132and133. The positive pole contacts112,113,124, and125are respectively connected to the positive poles of the battery cells1. The negative pole contacts122,123,132, and133are respectively connected to the negative poles of the battery cells1. The power source contact111and the ground contact131are respectively connected to the positive pole and the negative pole of an external electronic device. The test contact121may be used to test the voltage of the battery cells1.

Accordingly, there are 11 contacts provided by the conductive elements. The total number of battery cells1is four and the number of battery cells in series connection is two. Therefore, these numbers conform to the equation (1). That is, the method for fabricating a battery shell according to the first embodiment can be implemented.

FIG. 3is a structural diagram of another battery shell which is also fabricated by the method of the first embodiment.

With reference toFIG. 3, the battery shell20can be used in a laptop, but it is not limited this way. The battery shell20comprises 8 battery cells2. The number of battery cells2in series connection is four, and the number of battery cells2in parallel connection is two.

The battery shell20comprises a casing200, a first conductive element210, a second conductive element220, a third conductive element230, a fourth conductive element240, and a fifth conductive element250. The first conductive element110, the second conductive element120, the third conductive element130, the fourth conductive element240, and the fifth conductive element250may be made of copper or nickel material, while the casing200may be made of insulation plastic. The first conductive element110, the second conductive element120, the third conductive element130, the fourth conductive element240, and the fifth conductive element250are embedded in the casing200by way of insert molding. The first conductive element210has a power source contact211and two positive pole contacts212and213. The second conductive element220has a first test contact221, two positive pole contacts224and225, and two negative pole contacts222and223. The third conductive element230has a second test contact231, two positive pole contacts234and235, and two negative pole contacts232and233. The fourth conductive element240has a third test contact241, two positive pole contacts244and245, and two negative pole contacts242and243. The fifth conductive element250has a ground contact251and two negative pole contacts252and253.

The positive pole contacts212,213,224,225,234,235,244, and245are respectively connected to the positive poles of the battery cells2. The negative pole contacts222,223,232,233,242,243,252, and253are respectively connected to the negative poles of the battery cells2. The power source contact211and the ground contact251are respectively connected to the positive pole and the negative pole of an external electronic device. The first, second, and third test contacts221,231, and241may be used to test the voltage of the battery cells2.

Accordingly, there are 21 contacts provided by the conductive elements. The total of battery cells2is eight and the number of battery cells in series connection is four. Therefore, these numbers conform to the equation (1). That is, the method for fabricating a battery shell according to the first embodiment can be implemented.FIG. 4is a flowchart of a method for fabricating a battery shell according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

The method comprises the following steps.

A battery shell which is capable of containing n battery cells is defined. The number of the battery cells in series connection is s, where s is an even integer (S1).

A plurality of conductive elements are provided, and the conductive elements have m contacts (S2). Herein n, s, and m are all positive integers.

A shell is formed by way of insert molding, and the conductive elements are embedded in the shell and m contacts are exposed outside. Furthermore, the number m, n, and s comply with the equation (2).
m=(1.5×n)+(s+1)  (2) (S3)

FIG. 5is a structural diagram of a battery shell which is fabricated by the method of the second embodiment.

With reference toFIG. 5, the battery shell30can be used in a laptop, but it is not limited this way. The battery shell30comprises 4 battery cells3. The number of battery cells3in series connection is two, and the number of battery cells3in parallel connection is also two.

The battery shell30comprises a casing300, a first conductive element310, a second conductive element320, and a third conductive element330. The first conductive element310, the second conductive element320, and the third conductive element330may be made of copper or nickel material, while the casing300may be made of insulation plastic. The first conductive element310, the second conductive element320, and the third conductive element330are embedded in the casing300by way of insert molding. The first conductive element110has a power source contact311and two positive pole contacts312and313. The second conductive element320has a test contact321and two negative pole contacts322and323. The third conductive element330has a ground contact331and two negative pole contacts332and333. The positive pole contacts312and313are respectively connected to the positive poles of some battery cells3. The negative pole contacts332and333are respectively connected to the negative poles of some battery cells3. The power source contact311and the ground contact331are respectively connected to the positive pole and the negative pole of an external electronic device. The test contact321may be used to test the voltage of the battery cells3. Each pole contact322and323is used to connect the positive pole of a battery cell3and the negative pole of another battery cell3. For example,FIG. 6is a schematic illustration showing connections between the pole contact323and two battery cells3. More particularly, the left side of the pole contact323is connected to the negative pole of the left battery cell3, and the right side of the pole contact323is connected to the positive pole of the right battery cell3.

Accordingly, there are 9 contacts provided by the conductive elements. The total of battery cells3is four and the number of battery cells in series connection is two. Therefore, these numbers conform to the equation (2). That is, the method for fabricating a battery shell according to the second embodiment can be implemented.

FIG. 7is a structural diagram of another battery shell which is also fabricated by the method of the second embodiment.

With reference toFIG. 7, the battery shell40can be used in a laptop, but it is not limited this way. The battery shell40comprises 8 battery cells4. The number of battery cells4in series connection is four, and the number of battery cells4in parallel connection is two.

The battery shell40comprises a casing400, a first conductive element410, a second conductive element420, a third conductive element430, a fourth conductive element440, and a fifth conductive element450. The first conductive element410, the second conductive element420, the third conductive element430, the fourth conductive element440, and the fifth conductive element450may be made of copper or nickel material, while the casing400may be made of insulation plastic. The first conductive element410, the second conductive element420, the third conductive element430, the fourth conductive element440, and the fifth conductive element450are embedded in the casing400by way of insert molding. The first conductive element410has a power source contact411and two positive pole contacts412and413. The second conductive element420has a first test contact421, two pole contacts422and423. The third conductive element430has a second test contact431, two positive pole contacts434and435, and two negative pole contacts432and433. The fourth conductive element440has a third test contact441and two pole contacts442and443. The fifth conductive element450has a ground contact451and two negative pole contacts452and453.

The positive pole contacts412,413,434, and435are respectively connected to the positive poles of some battery cells4. The negative pole contacts432,433,452, and453are respectively connected to the negative poles of some battery cells4. The power source contact411and the ground contact451are respectively connected to the positive pole and the negative pole of an external electronic device. The first, second, and third test contacts421,431, and441may be used to test the voltage of the battery cells4. Each pole contact422,423,442, and443is used to connect the positive pole of a battery cell4and the negative pole of another battery cell4.

The connections between each pole contact422,423,442, or443and battery cells4may be referred to those as shown inFIG. 6, and thus they will not be described herein again. Accordingly, there are 17 contacts provided by the conductive elements. The total of battery cells4is eight and the number of battery cells in series connection is four. Therefore, these numbers conform to the equation (2). That is, the method for fabricating a battery shell according to the second embodiment can be implemented.

FIG. 8is a flowchart of a method for fabricating a battery shell according to a third embodiment of the disclosure.

The method comprises the following steps.

A battery shell which is capable of containing n battery cells is defined, and the number of the battery cells in series connection is s, where s is an odd integer (S1).

A plurality of conductive elements are provided, and the conductive elements have m contacts (S2). Herein n, s, and m are all positive integers.

A shell is formed by way of insert molding, and the conductive elements are embedded in the shell and the m contacts are exposed outside. Furthermore, the number m, n, and s comply with the equation (3).
m=(1.5×n)+(s+1+0.5p)  (3) (S3)

FIG. 9is a structural diagram of a battery shell which is fabricated by the method of the third embodiment.

With reference toFIG. 9, the battery shell50can be used in a laptop, but it is not limited this way. The battery shell50comprises 6 battery cells5. The number of battery cells5in series connection is three, and the number of battery cells5in parallel connection is two.

The battery shell50comprises a casing500, a first conductive element510, a second conductive element520, a third conductive element530, and a fourth conductive element540. The first conductive element510, the second conductive element520, the third conductive element530, and the fourth conductive element may be made of copper or nickel material, while the casing500may be made of insulation plastic. The first conductive element510, the second conductive element520, the third conductive element530, and the fourth conductive element540are embedded in the casing300by way of insert molding. The first conductive element510has a power source contact511and two positive pole contacts512and513. The second conductive element520has a first test contact521and two pole contacts522and523. The third conductive element530has a second test contact531, two positive pole contacts534and535, and two negative pole contacts532and533. The fourth conductive element540has a ground contact541and two negative pole contacts542and543.

The positive pole contacts512,513,534, and535are respectively connected to the positive poles of some battery cells5. The negative pole contacts532,533,542, and543are respectively connected to the negative poles of some battery cells5. The power source contact511and the ground contact541are respectively connected to the positive pole and the negative pole of an external electronic device. The first and second test contacts521and531may be used to test the voltage of the battery cells5. Each pole contact522and523is used to connect the positive pole of a battery cell5and the negative pole of another battery cell5.

The connections between each pole contact522or523and battery cells5may be referred to those as shown inFIG. 6, and thus they will not be described herein again.

Accordingly, there are 14 contacts provided by the conductive elements. The total of battery cells5is six and the number of battery cells in series connection is three. Therefore, these numbers conform to the equation (3). That is, the method for fabricating a battery shell according to the third embodiment can be implemented.

FIG. 10is a structural diagram of another battery shell which is also fabricated by the method of the third embodiment.

With reference toFIG. 10, the battery shell60can be used in a laptop, but it is not limited this way. The battery shell60comprises 9 battery cells6. The number of battery cells6in series connection is three, and the number of battery cells6in parallel connection is also three.

The battery shell60comprises a casing600, a first conductive element610, a second conductive element620, a third conductive element630, and a fourth conductive element640. The first conductive element610, the second conductive element620, the third conductive element630, and the fourth conductive element640may be made of copper or nickel material, while the casing600may be made of insulation plastic. The first conductive element610, the second conductive element620, the third conductive element630, and the fourth conductive element640are embedded in the casing600by way of insert molding. The first conductive element610has a power source contact611and three positive pole contacts612,613, and614. The second conductive element620has a first test contact621and three pole contacts622,623, and624. The third conductive element630has a second test contact631, three positive pole contacts634,635, and637, and three negative pole contacts632,633, and636. The fourth conductive element640has a ground contact641and three negative pole contacts642,643, and644.

The positive pole contacts612,613,614,634,635, and637are respectively connected to the positive poles of some battery cells6. The negative pole contacts632,633,636,642,643, and644are respectively connected to the negative poles of some battery cells6. The power source contact611and the ground contact641are respectively connected to the positive pole and the negative pole of an external electronic device. The first and second test contacts621and631may be used to test the voltage of the battery cells6. Each pole contact622,623, and624is used to connect the positive pole of a battery cell6and the negative pole of another battery cell6.

The connections between each pole contact622,623, or624and battery cells6may be referred to those as shown inFIG. 6, and thus they will not be described herein again.

Accordingly, there are 19 contacts provided by the conductive elements. The total of battery cells6is nine and the number of battery cells in series connection is three. Therefore, these numbers conform to the equation (3). That is, the method for fabricating a battery shell according to the third embodiment can be implemented.

Based on the above, according to the methods for fabricating a battery shell, conductive elements are embedded in the casing by way of insert molding. As a result, the volume of the battery shell decreases and the battery shell with smaller size can benefit the miniaturization of an electronic device. Furthermore, embedding conductive elements in the casing by way of insert molding can save the process of assembling the conductive elements to the casing, and thus fabricating hours can be reduced. Additionally, the conductive elements in the casing can increase the structural strength of the battery shell and improve the reliability of electronic devices.

Note that the specifications relating to the above embodiments should be construed as exemplary rather than as limitative of the present invention, with many variations and modifications being readily attainable by a person of average skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope thereof as defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.