PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12055973-B2
Application Number: US-202017018130-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Dual board-to-board connector battery management circuit module utilizing a switch-back service loop

Abstract:
The disclosed technology relates to a dual board-to-board connector battery management circuit module utilizing a switch-back service loop for a battery pack. The management circuit module is coupled to a first and second terminal of a battery pack and includes a first board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a first end of the management circuit module; and a second board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a second end of the management circuit module. The second board-to-board connector is positioned opposite the first board-to-board connector.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A battery pack, comprising:
 a set of layers comprising a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a separator layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer; 
 an enclosure enclosing the set of layers; 
 a first and second terminal extending from the enclosure, the first and second terminal electrically coupled to the cathode layer and the anode layer, respectively; 
 a management circuit module coupled to the first and second terminal, the management circuit module comprising:
 a first board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a first end of the management circuit module and on an elongated portion of the management circuit module, wherein the first board-to-board connector utilizes a first switch back service loop, the first switch back service loop extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to the elongated portion to enable the first board-to-board connector to move longitudinally along the elongated portion; and 
 a second board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a second end of the management circuit module and positioned opposite the first board-to-board connector. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The battery pack of  claim 1 , wherein the second board-to-board connector utilizes a second switch back service loop. 
     
     
       3. The battery pack of  claim 1 , wherein the management circuit module comprises a flexible circuit board. 
     
     
       4. The battery pack of  claim 1 , wherein the management circuit module comprises a rigid-flexible circuit board. 
     
     
       5. The battery pack of  claim 1 , wherein the first board-to-board connector is configured to connect to a first printed circuit board. 
     
     
       6. The battery pack of  claim 5 , wherein the second board-to-board connector is configured to connect to a second printed circuit board that is separate from the first printed circuit board. 
     
     
       7. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a first printed circuit board; 
 a second printed circuit board; 
 a battery pack comprising:
 a set of layers comprising a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a separator layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer; 
 an enclosure enclosing the set of layers; 
 a first and second terminal extending from the enclosure, the first and second terminal electrically coupled to the cathode layer and the anode layer, respectively; 
 a management circuit module coupled to the first and second terminal, the management circuit module comprising:
 a first board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a first end of the management circuit module and on an elongated portion of the management circuit module, wherein the first board-to-board connector utilizes a first switch back service loop, the first switch back service loop extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to the elongated portion to enable the first board-to-board connector to move longitudinally along the elongated portion; and 
 a second board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a second end of the management circuit module and positioned opposite the first board-to-board connector. 
 
 
 
     
     
       8. The portable electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the first printed circuit board comprises a main logic board comprising a memory and a processor. 
     
     
       9. The portable electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the second printed circuit board comprises a charging board comprising an inductor. 
     
     
       10. The portable electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the charging board is disposed proximate to a port of the portable electronic device, the port configured to receive an external connector. 
     
     
       11. The portable electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the charging board draws more power from the battery pack than the main logic board. 
     
     
       12. The portable electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the second board-to-board connector utilizes a second switch back service loop. 
     
     
       13. A method for connecting a battery pack to components of a portable electronic device, the method comprising:
 disposing the battery pack, a main logic board, and a charging board within the portable electronic device, the battery pack comprising:
 a set of layers comprising a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a separator layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer; 
 an enclosure enclosing the set of layers; 
 a first and second terminal extending from the enclosure, the first and second terminal electrically coupled to the cathode layer and the anode layer, respectively; 
 a management circuit module coupled to the first and second terminal, the management circuit module comprising:
 a first board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a first end of the management circuit module and on an elongated portion of the management circuit module, wherein the first board-to-board connector utilizes a first switch back service loop, the first switch back service loop extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to the elongated portion to enable the first board-to-board connector to move longitudinally along the elongated portion; and 
 a second board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a second end of the management circuit module and positioned opposite the first board-to-board connector; 
 
 
 connecting the first board-to-board connector to the main logic board; and 
 connecting the second board-to-board connector to the charging board. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising arranging the charging board to be proximate to a charging port of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the main logic board comprises a cutout at a corner of the main logic board to accommodate the first switch back service loop of the first board-to-board connector. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second board-to-board connector utilizes a second switch back service loop. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the charging board comprises a cutout at a corner of the charging board to accommodate the second switch back service loop of the second board-to-board connector.

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/900,261, entitled “DUAL BOARD-TO-BOARD CONNECTOR BATTERY MANAGEMENT CIRCUIT MODULE UTILIZING A SWITCH-BACK SERVICE LOOP,” filed on Sep. 13, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a battery management circuit module for use with battery packs, and more particularly, to a dual board-to-board connector battery management circuit module utilizing a switch-back service loop. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Battery packs are used to provide power to a wide variety of portable electronic devices, including laptop computers, tablet computers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital music players, watches, and wearable devices. A commonly used type of battery is a lithium battery, which can include a lithium-ion or a lithium-polymer battery. 
     Lithium batteries often include cells that are made of an anode layer and a cathode layer, with a separator disposed there-between. The layers may be packaged or wound in an enclosure. A first conductive tab may be coupled to the cathode layer and a second conductive tab may be coupled to the anode layer. The first and second conductive tabs may extend through the enclosure to provide terminals for the battery cell. The terminals for the battery cell may be coupled to a battery management circuit module that is configured to manage recharging and discharging of the battery cell. 
     The management circuit module may include a single connector to couple the battery pack to components of a system, such as a printed circuit board of a portable electronic device. Because a single connector is used, the printed circuit board must house numerous components, such as, a processor, memory, speaker, microphone, amplifier, charging components, and/or other components of the portable electronic device. Housing numerous components on a single printed circuit board may require additional volume within the portable electronic device to house such components, which may reduce a volume that could otherwise be occupied by the battery pack thereby reducing a potential capacity of the battery. In addition, to enable a connection between the battery pack and the printed circuit board, a connector of the management circuit module may utilize an S-bend service loop. The S-bend service loop, however, may provide insufficient length to adequately manipulate the connector and may require a larger cutout in the printed circuit board to accommodate the S-bend service loop. Accordingly, there is a need for a management circuit module to enable efficient packaging of components within a portable electronic device, while enabling more flexibility to connect to system components using an improved service loop. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosed embodiments provide for a battery pack that utilizes a dual board-to-board connector battery management circuit module utilizing a switch-back service loop. The battery pack includes a set of layers having a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a separator layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer. The battery pack also includes an enclosure enclosing the set of layers, and a first and second terminal extending from the enclosure that are coupled to the cathode layer and anode layer, respectively. The battery pack also includes a management circuit module coupled to the first and second terminal. The management circuit module includes a first board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a first end of the management circuit module; and a second board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a second end of the management circuit module and positioned opposite the first board-to-board connector. 
     In some embodiments, a portable electronic device utilizing a dual board-to-board connector battery management circuit module utilizing a switch-back service loop is disclosed. The portable electronic device includes a first printed circuit board, a second printed circuit board, and a battery pack. The battery pack includes a set of layers having a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a separator layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer. The battery pack also includes an enclosure enclosing the set of layers, and a first and second terminal extending from the enclosure that are coupled to the cathode layer and anode layer, respectively. The battery pack also includes a management circuit module coupled to the first and second terminal. The management circuit module includes a first board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a first end of the management circuit module that is electrically coupled to the first printed circuit board; and a second board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a second end of the management circuit module, positioned opposite the first board-to-board connector, that is electrically coupled to the second printed circuit board. 
     In some embodiments, a method for connecting a battery to components of a portable electronic device is disclosed. The method includes disposing a battery pack, main logic board, and a charging board within a portable electronic device. The battery pack includes a set of layers having a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a separator layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer; an enclosure enclosing the set of layers; and a first and second terminal extending from the enclosure. The first and second terminal is electrically coupled to the cathode layer and anode layer, respectively. The battery pack also includes a management circuit module coupled to the first and second terminal. The management circuit module includes a first board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a first end of the management circuit module; and a second board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a second end of the management circuit module and positioned opposite the first board-to-board connector. The method further includes connecting the first board-to-board connector to the main logic board; and connecting the second board-to-board connector to the charging board. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of a battery pack, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of a dual board-to-board connector battery management circuit module utilizing a switch-back service loop, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  3 A  illustrates a detail view of an embodiment of an S-bend service loop; 
         FIG.  3 B  illustrates a detail view of a switch-back service loop, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  4 A  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of an S-bend service loop in relation to a printed circuit board; 
         FIG.  4 B  illustrates a top view of a switch-back service loop in relation to a printed circuit board, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  5 A  illustrates a schematic of a datum associated with an S-bend service loop, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  5 B  illustrates a schematic of a datum associated with a switch-back service loop, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  6 A  illustrates a top view of a portable electronic device, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  6 B  illustrates a top view of a portable electronic device showing a charging current, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  6 C  illustrates a top view of a portable electronic device showing a discharging current, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a cross-section view of a battery pack, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a portable electronic device, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology; and 
         FIG.  9    illustrates an example method for connecting a battery to components of a portable electronic device, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     The disclosed technology addresses limitations of management circuit modules by utilizing a dual board-to-board connector battery management circuit module to enable efficient packaging of system components amongst a plurality of printed circuit boards and by utilizing a switch-back service loop that provides sufficient length to adequately manipulate the connectors without requiring large cutouts in the printed circuit boards to accommodate the switch-back service loop. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of a battery pack  100 , in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology. The battery pack  100  comprises an enclosure  110 , a set of layers enclosed within the enclosure  110 , and a battery management circuit module  120 . The enclosure  110  may comprise a can, pouch, or other type of enclosure as would be known by a person of ordinary skill. The set of layers may comprise at least one cathode layer with an active coating, at least one anode layer with an active coating, and a separator disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer, as discussed further below with reference to  FIG.  7   . The set of layers may be packaged or wound within the enclosure  110 . A first conductive tab may be electrically coupled to the cathode layer and a second conductive tab may be electrically coupled to the anode layer. The first and second conductive tabs may extend through the enclosure  110  to provide a first terminal  109 A and a second terminal  109 B for one or more battery cells enclosed within the enclosure  110 . The terminals  109 A-B extending from the enclosure  110  may be electrically coupled to the battery management circuit module  120 . 
     The battery management circuit module  120  is configured to manage recharging and discharging of the battery pack  100 , as well as monitor the battery pack  100 . The battery management circuit module  120  may comprise an integrated circuit  122  having cutoff field-effect transmitters (FETs), fuel-gauge monitor, cell-voltage monitor, cell-voltage balance, real-time clock, and/or a temperature monitor. The battery management circuit module  120  comprises a first board-to-board connector  124 A disposed proximal to a first end of the battery management circuit module  120 , and a second board-to-board connector  124 B disposed proximal to a second end of the battery management circuit module  120 . The second board-to-board connector  124 B may be positioned opposite the first board-to-board connector  124 A. Extending between the first board-to-board connector  124 A and the second board-to-board connector  124 B may be at least one of a flexible circuit board, rigid circuit board, and/or a rigid-flexible circuit board. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of a dual board-to-board connector battery management circuit module  120  utilizing a switch-back service loop, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology. In one aspect, the battery management circuit module  120  forms a “U” shape, with the integrated circuit  122  disposed at a middle portion of the battery management circuit module  120 . Disposed proximate to the integrated circuit  122  is a first connection pad  126 A that is configured to electrically couple to the first terminal  109 A of the battery pack  100  and a second connection pad  126 B that is configured to couple to the second terminal  109 B of the battery pack  100 . 
     The first board-to-board connector  124 A is disposed on an elongated portion  128  of the battery management circuit module  120  that may comprise a flex circuit board, rigid circuit board, and/or a rigid-flexible circuit board. Opposite the first board-to-board connector  124 A, the second board-to-board connector  124 B is disposed on an elongated portion  128  of the battery management circuit module  120  that may comprise a flex circuit board, rigid circuit board, and/or a rigid-flexible circuit board. The elongated portions  128  may be disposed on planes that are orthogonal to a plane that the integrated circuit  122  is disposed on. To facilitate a transition between the plane of the integrated circuit  122  and the planes of the elongated portions  128 , a corner portion  127  may comprise a flexible circuit board. 
     In one aspect, each of the first board-to-board connector  124 A and the second board-to-board connector  124 B may utilize a switch-back service loop  129  that enables a positon of the first board-to-board connector  124 A and the second board-to-board connector  124 B to be adjusted longitudinally along the elongated portions  128 . By utilizing the switch-back service loop  129  for each of the first board-to-board connector  124 A and the second board-to-board connector  124 B, a working length for each of the first board-to-board connector  124 A and the second board-to-board connector  124 B is increased over an S-bend service loops (as shown in  FIG.  3 A ). This additional length in a direction along the elongated portion  128  enables coupling of the first board-to-board connector  124 A and the second board-to-board connector  124 B to corresponding system components. For example, the first board-to-board connector  124 A may be connected to a first printed circuit board, and the second board-to-board connector  124 B may be connected to a second printed circuit board that is separate from the first printed circuit board. 
       FIG.  3 A  illustrates a detail view of an S-bend service loop  139 . The S-bend service loop  139  extends vertically with respect to an elongated portion  128  to enable a board-to-board connector  124  to adjust vertically with respect to the elongated portion  128 . However the S-bend service loop  139  does not provide a length of flexible circuit board along the longitudinal direction. 
       FIG.  3 B  illustrates a detail view of a switch-back service loop  129 , in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology. In contrast to the S-bend service loop  139  shown in  FIG.  3 A , the switch-back service loop  129  extends in a longitudinal direction  130  (e.g. horizontally) with respect to the elongated portion  128  to enable the first board-to-board connector  124 A or the second board-to-board connector  124 B to move longitudinally along the elongated portion  128 . The switch-back service loop  129  thereby provides an additional length of flexible circuit board in the longitudinal direction  130 . 
       FIG.  4 A  illustrates a top view of the S-bend service loop  139  in relation to a printed circuit board  140 . As shown, to accommodate the S-bend service loop  139 , the printed circuit board  140  incorporates a first cutout  141  having a width W 1  and a depth D 1  that is sized to accommodate an entire width of the S-bend service loop. 
       FIG.  4 B  illustrates a top view of the switch-back service loop  129  in relation to a printed circuit board  140 , in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology. To accommodate the switch-back service loop  129 , the printed circuit board  140  includes a second cutout  142  having a width W 2  that is less than the width W 1  of the first cutout  141 , and a depth D 2  that is less than the depth D 1  of the first cutout  141 . The second cutout  142  is disposed on a corner of the printed circuit board  140  and is sized to accommodate a width of the switch-back service loop  129 . In one aspect, because the switch-back service loop  129  extends longitudinally from the elongated portion  128 , the width of the switch-back service loop  129  can be significantly reduced. In other aspects, by reducing the size of the second cutout  142 , the printed circuit board  140  may house additional components, as necessary, thereby increasing a packaging efficiency of the printed circuit board  140 . 
       FIG.  5 A  illustrates a schematic of a datum associated with the S-bend service loop  139 . In one aspect, because the S-bend service loop  139  design does not include longitudinal (e.g., along the x-direction) adjustment of the board-to-board connector  124 , a datum  150  must be located at the battery management circuit module  120  to ensure that the board-to-board connector  124  is located at the proper location, at a distance L 1  from the datum  150 , to connect to a system component. 
       FIG.  5 B  illustrates a schematic of a datum associated with a switch-back service loop  129 , in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology. In one aspect, because the switch-back service loop  129  provides longitudinal (e.g., along the x-direction) adjustment of the board-to-board connector  124 A-B, the datum  150  may be located at an end of the enclosure  110  of the battery pack  100 . Because the switch-back service loop  129  enables the board-to-board connector  124 A-B to be adjusted longitudinally (e.g., along the x-direction) to connect to a system component, the board-to-board connector  124 A-B may be located at a distance L 2 , as measured from the datum  150  at the end of the enclosure  110 , to connect to a system component with minimal concern of tolerance stackup. 
       FIG.  6 A  illustrates a top view of a portable electronic device  200 , in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology. The portable electronic device may comprise a first printed circuit board  210 , a second printed circuit board  220 , and the battery pack  100 . As described above with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 2   , the battery pack  100  comprises the management circuit module  120  coupled to the first and second terminals,  109 A and  109 B respectively. The management circuit module  120  comprises the first board-to-board connector  124 A disposed proximal to a first end of the management circuit module  120 . The first board-to-board connector  124 A is electrically coupled to the first printed circuit board  210 . The first printed circuit board  210  may comprise a main logic board having a processor, memory, speaker, and/or other components of the portable electronic device  200 . 
     The management circuit module  120  further comprises the second board-to-board connector  124 B disposed proximal to a second end of the management circuit module  120 . The second board-to-board connector  124 B may be positioned opposite the first board-to-board connector  124 A with respect to the management circuit module  120 . The second board-to-board connector  124 B is electrically coupled to the second printed circuit board  220 . The second printed circuit board  220  may comprise a charging board having components thereon for charging the battery pack  100 . Charging components may include a charging integrated circuit, wireless charging integrated circuit, and/or a charging inductor. The second printed circuit board  220  may also contain other components associated with the portable electronic device  200 , such as an amplifier, speaker, microphone, and/or haptic element. In one aspect, by offloading components that are conventionally placed on a single printed circuit board to the second printed circuit board  220 , a size of the first printed circuit board  210  may be reduced to thereby enable a larger battery pack  100  for the portable electronic device  200 . In another aspect, by offloading charging components to the second printed circuit board  220 , flexibility of locating the charging components within a portable electronic device is improved, thereby enabling charging components to be located at a location within the portable electronic device having additional space for accommodating larger charging components (e.g., inductors) that enable an increase in charging efficiency and reduction in charging time. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 A , the second printed circuit board  220  is disposed proximate to a port of the portable electronic device  200  that is configured to receive an external connector  230 . The external connector  230  may comprise a charging cable that is configured to supply a charging current to the battery pack  100  via the second printed circuit board  220 . In some aspects, and as described with reference to  FIGS.  6 B and  6 C , by arranging components of the portable electronic device  200  amongst the first printed circuit board  210  and the second printed circuit board  220 , a charging and discharging efficiency is increased over systems utilizing a single connector to connect to a printed circuit board. 
       FIG.  6 B  illustrates a top view of the portable electronic device  200  showing a charging current, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology. Upon insertion of the external connector  230  providing a charging current, a primary current  310  is supplied to the second printed circuit board  220  having charging components, such as a charging integrated circuit. Primary current  310  is supplied to the management circuit module  120  via the second board-to-board connector  124 B. The primary current  310  is then supplied to the one or more battery cells of the battery pack  100  for charging or recharging of the battery pack  100 . The battery pack  100  is therefore charged using primary current  310  without utilizing the first printed circuit board  210 . In one aspect, by utilizing only the charging components of the second printed circuit board  220  to charge the battery pack  100 , a charging efficiency is increased because there is no need to provide primary current  310  to the first printed circuit board  210 . In another aspect, because the second printed circuit board  220  is disposed proximate to the external connector  230 , an impedance is reduced due to a shortened length for the current to travel from the external connector  230  to the battery pack  100 . 
     In other aspects, during charging, the second printed circuit board  220  may provide supplemental current  320  to other components of the portable electronic device  200  without utilizing the battery pack  100  or the first printed circuit board  210 . In another aspect, the management circuit module  120  may provide supplemental current  320  to the first printed circuit board  210  via the first board-to-board connector  124 A. 
       FIG.  6 C  illustrates a top view of the portable electronic device  200  showing a discharging current, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology. During discharge of the battery pack  100 , a discharge current  330  is provided by the battery pack  100  to the first printed circuit board  210  and the second printed circuit board  220  via the first board-to-board connector  124 A and the second board-to-board connector  124 B, respectively. In one aspect, the second printed circuit board  220  may draw more power from the battery pack  100  than the first printed circuit board  210 . Because the management circuit module  120  utilizes more than one board-to-board connector (e.g., the first board-to-board connector  124 A and the second board-to-board connector  124 B), the management circuit module  120  may provide more power or current to the second printed circuit board  220  than the first printed circuit board  210 , or vice versa. In one aspect, by utilizing more than one board-to-board connector (e.g., the first board-to-board connector  124 A and the second board-to-board connector  124 B), current or power may be directed to a particular circuit board or components, as desired, thereby increasing an efficiency for the discharge current  330 . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a cross-section view of a battery pack  100 , in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology. The battery pack  100  includes a battery cell  103 , an enclosure  110 , and a management circuit module  120 . The management circuit module  120  is configured to manage and monitor the battery cell  103  and includes a first board-to-board connector  124 A and a second board-to-board connector  124 B. The first board-to-board connector  124 A and the second board-to-board connector  124 B are each configured to engage with corresponding connectors on a portable electronic device to provide power to components of the portable electronic device. 
     The battery cell  103  includes a set of layers comprising a cathode  104 , a separator  102 , and an anode  106 . The set of layers of the battery cell  103  may be wound to form a jelly roll structure or can be stacked to form a stacked-cell structure. The set of layers are enclosed within the enclosure  110  and may be immersed in an electrolyte  101 . The electrolyte can additionally be in the form of a solution, a gel, or a solid. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a portable electronic device  200 , in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology. The above-described rechargeable battery  100  can generally be used in any type of electronic device. For example,  FIG.  8    illustrates a portable electronic device  200  which includes a processor  202 , a memory  204  and a display  206 , which are all powered by the battery  100 . Portable electronic device  200  may correspond to a laptop computer, tablet computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), digital music player, watch, and wearable device, and/or other type of battery-powered electronic device. Battery  100  may correspond to a battery pack that includes one or more battery cells. The battery  100  utilizes a dual board-to-board connector battery management circuit module utilizing a switch-back service loop as described above. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates an example method  900  for connecting a battery to components of a portable electronic device, in accordance with various embodiments of the subject technology. It should be understood that, for any process discussed herein, there can be additional, fewer, or alternative steps performed in similar or alternative orders, or in parallel, within the scope of the various embodiments unless otherwise stated. 
     At operation  910 , a battery pack, main logic board, and a charging board are disposed within a portable electronic device. The battery pack includes a set of layers comprising a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a separator layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer. The set of layers are enclosed in an enclosure which may comprise a can, pouch, or other type of enclosure as would be known by a person of ordinary skill. A first and second terminal are electrically coupled to the cathode layer and anode layer, respectively, and extend from the enclosure. A management circuit module is coupled to the first and second terminal at an opposite end. The management circuit module comprises a first board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a first end of the management circuit module, and a second board-to-board connector disposed proximal to a second end of the management circuit module. The second board-to-board connector may be positioned opposite the first board-to-board connector. 
     At operation  920 , the first board-to-board connector is connected to the main logic board. The first board-to-board connector utilizes a switch back service loop to provide an additional length of flexible printed circuit board in a longitudinal direction for connecting to the main logic board. In one aspect, the main logic board comprises a cutout at a corner of the main logic board to accommodate the switch back service loop of the first board-to-board connector. 
     At operation  930 , the second board-to-board connector is connected to the charging board. The second board-to-board connector utilizes a switch back service loop to provide an additional length of flexible printed circuit board in a longitudinal direction for connecting to the charging board. In one aspect, the charging board comprises a cutout at a corner of the charging board to accommodate the switch back service loop of the second board-to-board connector. The method may also include arranging the charging board to be proximate to a charging port of the portable electronic device. 
     Although a variety of examples and other information was used to explain aspects within the scope of the appended claims, no limitation of the claims should be implied based on particular features or arrangements in such examples, as one of ordinary skill would be able to use these examples to derive a wide variety of implementations. Further and although some subject matter may have been described in language specific to examples of structural features and/or method steps, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to these described features or acts. For example, such functionality can be distributed differently or performed in components other than those identified herein. Rather, the described features and steps are disclosed as examples of components of systems and methods within the scope of the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200911
Publication Date: 20240806
Grant Date: 20240806
Priority Date: 20190913
Inventors: WANG, DEPENG
LEOPOLD, ANDREW U.
STEVENS, GREGORY N.
WILSON, JONATHAN C.
SMITH, JAMES B.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H05K2201/055", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/247", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/296", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/531", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M2220/30", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10037", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1635", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M2010/4271", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/425", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y02E60/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1635", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M2010/4271", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/42", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M2220/30", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/247", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/298", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/296", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/557", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/528", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/105", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10037", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/055", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M2220/30", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M2010/4271", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/531", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/296", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/247", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/425", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1635", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 74868566