PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11824220-B2
Application Number: US-202017011290-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electronic device having a vented battery barrier

Abstract:
A portable electronic device may include a housing, a display at least partially within the housing, a transparent cover over the display, and a battery at least partially within the housing. The battery may include a battery cell, a pouch encasing the battery cell, and a gas release relief system including a gas-permeable membrane configured to prevent liquid from escaping the pouch and a valve configured to selectively release gas from the pouch. The device may also include a processing system configured to, in a first mode of operation, cause the valve to open to allow gas to be released from the pouch, and, in a second mode of operation, cause the valve to close.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable electronic device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a display at least partially within the housing; 
 a transparent cover over the display; 
 a battery at least partially within the housing and comprising:
 a battery cell; 
 a pouch encasing the battery cell and comprising a plurality of layers, the pouch defining a hole extending through at least one layer of the plurality of layers; and 
 a gas release system comprising:
 a gas-permeable membrane positioned at least partially within the hole and configured to prevent liquid from escaping the pouch, a peripheral portion of the gas-permeable membrane positioned between two layers of the plurality of layers; and 
 a valve configured to selectively release gas from the pouch; a strain sensing system comprising a strain sensing element coupled to the pouch, the strain sensing system configured to detect a strain at a surface of the pouch, and 
 
 
 a processing system communicably coupled to the strain sensing system and configured to:
 in accordance with a determination that a strain at the surface of the pouch satisfies a criteria, cause the valve to open to allow gas to be released from the pouch; and 
 in accordance with a determination that a strain at the surface of the pouch fails to satisfy the criteria, cause the valve to close. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mesh screen positioned over the gas-permeable membrane. 
     
     
       3. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of layers comprises:
 a first polymer layer defining an interior surface of the pouch; 
 a metallic layer over the first polymer layer; 
 an adhesive layer over the metallic layer; and 
 a second polymer layer over the adhesive layer and defining an exterior surface of the pouch. 
 
     
     
       4. The portable electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the hole extends through the first polymer layer, the metallic layer, the adhesive layer, and the second polymer layer. 
 
     
     
       5. The portable electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the valve is coupled to a flexible circuit substrate; and 
 the flexible circuit substrate is positioned between the metallic layer and the second polymer layer of the pouch. 
 
     
     
       6. The portable electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the gas-permeable membrane is defined by a porous region of one or more of the plurality of layers of the pouch. 
     
     
       7. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the strain sensing system includes a Wheatstone bridge. 
     
     
       8. A portable electronic device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a display at least partially within the housing; 
 a transparent cover over the display; 
 a battery at least partially within the housing and comprising:
 a battery enclosure comprising a pouch, the pouch comprising:
 a first layer defining a hole; and 
 a second layer comprising a polymer material and defining a porous region aligned with the hole; 
 
 a battery cell within the battery enclosure; and 
 a valve coupled to the battery enclosure and configured to selectively release gas from the battery enclosure through the hole; 
 
 a sensing system comprising a strain sensing element coupled to the battery enclosure, the sensing system configured to detect a strain at a surface of the battery enclosure correlated to a gas condition within the battery enclosure; and 
 a processing system communicably coupled to the sensing system and configured to selectively actuate the valve to release the gas from the battery enclosure based at least in part on a determination that a strain at the surface of the battery enclosure satisfies a criteria. 
 
     
     
       9. The portable electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the valve is coupled to the pouch and positioned over the hole. 
 
     
     
       10. The portable electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first layer is a metallic layer; 
 the second layer is a first polymer material below the metallic layer and defining an interior surface of the pouch; and 
 the pouch further comprises:
 a second polymer material over the metallic layer and defining an exterior surface of the pouch. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The portable electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the hole is a first hole; and 
 the second polymer material defines a second hole aligned with the first hole. 
 
     
     
       12. The portable electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the porous region of the first polymer material is gas-permeable and waterproof. 
     
     
       13. The portable electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the sensing system includes a Wheatstone bridge. 
     
     
       14. The portable electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein selectively actuating the valve comprises opening the valve if the strain satisfies the criteria. 
     
     
       15. A battery for a portable electronic device, comprising:
 a battery cell; 
 a pouch formed of a flexible laminate and encasing the battery cell and defining a hole through at least one layer of a plurality of layers of the flexible laminate 
 a strain sensing element coupled to the pouch and configured to detect a strain at a surface of the pouch correlated to a gas condition within the pouch; 
 a gas-permeable waterproof membrane captured between two layers of the flexible laminate and extending across the hole in the pouch; 
 a valve covering the hole; and 
 a processing system communicably coupled to the strain sensing element and configured to:
 in accordance with a determination that a strain at the surface of the pouch satisfies a criteria, cause the valve to open to allow gas to be released from the pouch. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The battery of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the valve is an electromechanical valve; 
 the flexible laminate comprises a flexible circuit substrate; and 
 the electromechanical valve is coupled to the flexible circuit substrate. 
 
     
     
       17. The battery of  claim 15 , further comprising a pump configured to assist a release of gas from within the pouch. 
     
     
       18. The battery of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the valve is biased in a closed position. 
 
     
     
       19. The battery of  claim 15 , wherein the processing system is further configured to: in accordance with a determination that the strain at the surface of the pouch fails to satisfy the criteria, cause the valve to close. 
     
     
       20. The battery of  claim 15 , wherein the valve is caused to open by an electromagnetic force.

Description:
FIELD 
     The subject matter of this disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly, to batteries for electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modern consumer electronic devices use batteries to provide electrical power for the electronic components and circuitry of the devices. In many cases, rechargeable batteries are used so that users do not need to replace the batteries each time the batteries are discharged. 
     SUMMARY 
     A portable electronic device may include a housing, a display at least partially within the housing, a transparent cover over the display, and a battery at least partially within the housing. The battery may include a battery cell, a pouch encasing the battery cell, and a gas release relief system including a gas-permeable membrane configured to prevent liquid from escaping the pouch and a valve configured to selectively release gas from the pouch. The device may also include a processing system configured to, in a first mode of operation, cause the valve to open to allow gas to be released from the pouch, and, in a second mode of operation, cause the valve to close. 
     The portable electronic device may further include a sensing system configured to detect a gas condition within the pouch, the processing system may be configured to cause the valve to open in response to the gas condition satisfying a criteria, and the processing system may be configured to cause the valve to close in response to the gas condition failing to satisfy a criteria. The sensing system may include a resistive sensor attached to the pouch. 
     The portable electronic device may further include a mesh screen positioned over the gas-permeable membrane. The pouch may include a wall defined by a laminate, the laminate including a first polymer layer defining an interior surface of the pouch, a metallic layer over the first polymer layer, an adhesive layer over the metallic layer, and a second polymer layer over the adhesive layer and defining an exterior surface of the pouch. The pouch may define a hole extending through the first polymer layer, the metallic layer, the adhesive layer, and the second polymer layer, and a peripheral portion of the gas-permeable membrane may be positioned between two layers of the laminate. The valve may be coupled to a flexible circuit substrate, and the flexible circuit substrate may be positioned between the metallic layer and the second polymer layer of the pouch. 
     A portable electronic device may include a housing, a display at least partially within the housing, a transparent cover over the display, and a battery at least partially within the housing. The battery may include a battery enclosure, a battery cell within the battery enclosure, and a valve coupled to the battery enclosure and configured to selectively release gas from the battery enclosure. The portable electronic device may further include a sensing system configured to detect a gas condition within the battery enclosure and a processing system configured to selectively actuate the valve to release the gas from the battery enclosure based at least in part on the detected gas condition. 
     The battery enclosure may define a hole extending through a wall of the battery enclosure, the battery may further include a porous membrane extending across the hole, and the valve may be positioned over the hole. The battery enclosure may include a pouch defining an interior volume, and the pouch may include a first polymer layer defining an interior surface of the pouch, a metallic layer over the first polymer layer, and a second polymer layer over the metallic layer and defining an exterior surface of the pouch. The second polymer layer may define a first hole, the metallic layer may define a second hole aligned with the first hole, and the first polymer layer may define a porous region aligned with the first hole and the second hole. The porous region of the first polymer layer may be gas-permeable and waterproof. 
     The sensing system may be configured to detect a dimensional transformation of the pouch. The sensing system may include a piezoelectric element coupled to the battery enclosure. 
     A battery for a portable electronic device may include a battery cell, a pouch formed of a flexible laminate and encasing the battery cell and defining a hole, a sensing component configured to detect a gas condition within the pouch, a gas-permeable waterproof membrane extending across the hole in the pouch, and a valve covering the hole and configured to be transitioned between an open position and a closed position based on the gas condition within the pouch. The valve may be an electromechanical valve, the flexible laminate may include a flexible circuit substrate, and the electromechanical valve may be coupled to the flexible circuit substrate. The gas condition may correspond to a predetermined dimensional transformation of the pouch. The sensing component may include a transducer positioned in an interior volume of the pouch. The battery may further include a pump configured to assist in the release of gas from within the pouch. The valve may be biased in the closed position, and the valve may be configured to be opened in response to receiving a signal from a device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIGS.  1 A- 1 B  depict an example electronic device; 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 B  depict a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B ; 
         FIG.  3    depicts an example battery; 
         FIG.  4    depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the battery of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  depict partial cross-sectional views of the battery of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  depict partial cross-sectional views of example batteries; 
         FIGS.  7 A- 7 B  depict partial cross-sectional views of the battery of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  7 C  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of another example battery; 
         FIGS.  8 A- 8 C  depict partial cross-sectional views of a pump for a battery; 
         FIGS.  9 A- 9 B  depict partial cross-sectional views of another pump for a battery; 
         FIG.  9 C  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of a biased battery; 
         FIG.  10    depicts a method of drawing gas from a battery; and 
         FIG.  11    depicts a schematic diagram of an example electronic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     Modern electronic devices may include rechargeable batteries to provide the electrical power needed to operate the devices. For example, mobile phones (e.g., smartphones), laptop computers, tablet computers, smartwatches, and the like, may include rechargeable batteries that allow the devices to be used untethered (e.g., without a wired connection to an external power source). Such rechargeable batteries may use various kinds of electrochemistries, such as lithium-ion, sodium-ion, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, or the like. Further, rechargeable batteries may take various different form factors and/or have different types of battery cell structures. Example cell structures include, for example, a jellyroll cell structure, a stacked cell structure, or the like. 
     A rechargeable battery may include an enclosure, and a battery cell that is encased in the enclosure. In some cases, the battery cell may include electrodes (e.g., an anode and a cathode), and an electrolyte. For example, in the case of a lithium-ion battery, the battery cell may include a lithium-containing cathode, a graphite anode, and a liquid- or polymer-based electrode (which may include lithium salts in a liquid or polymer gel carrier). The enclosure may be any suitable enclosure, such as a rigid enclosure (e.g., a metal box or tube) or a flexible polymer laminate pouch. A pouch enclosure may be formed from a sheet that is folded onto itself to form an interior void space in which the battery cell is contained. The sheet, and thus the pouch formed from the sheet, may be a flexible laminate in which several different materials are laminated together including one or more barriers to prevent ingress of oxygen or other gasses and to contain the electrolyte and other internal materials. The pouch (or other enclosure) may be evacuated to reduce or eliminate air and/or other gasses inside the enclosure. 
     In some cases, gasses in the battery may remain contained within the enclosure. In the case of flexible enclosures such as laminate pouches, these gasses may cause the pouch to undergo dynamic dimensional transformations. In tightly-packed electronic devices, it may be beneficial to reduce the amount of extra space reserved for such dimensional transformations. 
     Described herein are batteries that include gas release systems that facilitate the release of gasses from within a battery enclosure (e.g., a pouch), while also preventing the electrolyte in the battery from escaping and preventing or limiting air, liquids, or other contaminants from entering the battery enclosure. The systems and techniques described herein may be used to reduce dynamic dimensional transformations of the battery due to the presence of gasses. Such structures may include components such as valves that can be selectively actuated to open and/or close based on the presence of gas or other gas condition in the enclosure, as well as gas-permeable waterproof membranes that allow gasses to pass out of the enclosure while keeping the electrolyte inside the enclosure. Further, the batteries (and/or the devices in which the batteries are included) may include sensor systems that can detect the presence of gas or other gas condition in the enclosure, and selectively actuate (e.g., open or close) the valves at appropriate times to release the gasses from the enclosures. These and other details and features are described herein. 
       FIG.  1 A  shows an example electronic device  100  embodied as a mobile phone (e.g., an example of a portable electronic device). While the device  100  is a mobile phone, the concepts presented herein may apply to any appropriate electronic device, including wearable devices (e.g., watches), laptop computers, handheld gaming devices, or any other device that incorporates a battery (e.g., a lithium-ion battery). Accordingly, any reference to an “electronic device” encompasses any and all of the foregoing. 
     The electronic device  100  includes a cover  102  (e.g., a front cover), such as a glass, plastic, or other substantially transparent material, component, or assembly, attached to a housing  104 . The cover  102 , which may be referred to as a transparent cover  102 , may be positioned over a display  103 . The cover  102  may be formed from glass (e.g., a chemically strengthened glass), sapphire, ceramic, glass-ceramic, plastic, or another suitable material. The housing  104  may include one or more metal members coupled together with polymer (or other dielectric) materials. In some cases, the housing  104  is a single piece of metal, a single piece of polymer, or it may use other materials and/or constructions. 
     The display  103  may be at least partially positioned within the interior volume of the housing  104 . The display  103  may be coupled to the transparent cover  102 , such as via an adhesive or other coupling scheme. In some cases, the assembly that includes the display  103  and the transparent cover  102  may be referred to as a top module. The top module may also include other components, such as touch- and/or force-sensing components, structural members, cameras, biometric sensors, ambient light sensors, or the like. 
     The display  103 , which may also be referred to herein as a display stack, may include a liquid-crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, an active layer organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display, organic electroluminescent (EL) display, electrophoretic ink display, or the like. The display  103  may be configured to display graphical outputs, such as graphical user interfaces, that the user may view and interact with. The device  100  may also include an ambient light sensor that can determine properties of the ambient light conditions surrounding the device  100 . The device  100  may use information from the ambient light sensor to change, modify, adjust, or otherwise control the display  103  (e.g., by changing a hue, brightness, saturation, or other optical aspect of the display based on information from the ambient light sensor). 
     The display  103  may include or be associated with one or more touch- and/or force-sensing systems. In some cases, components of the touch- and/or force-sensing systems are integrated with the display stack. For example, electrode layers of a touch- and/or force-sensor may be provided in a stack that includes display components (and is optionally attached to or at least viewable through the cover  102 ). 
     The touch- and/or force-sensing systems may use any suitable type of sensing technology, including capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, surface acoustic wave sensors, piezoelectric sensors, resistive sensors, or the like. The outer or exterior surface of the cover  102  may define an input surface (e.g., a touch- and/or force-sensitive input surface) of the device. While both touch- and force-sensing systems may be included, in some cases the device  100  includes a touch-sensing system and does not include a force-sensing system. 
     The device  100  may also include a front-facing camera  106 . The front-facing camera  106  may be positioned below or otherwise covered and/or protected by the cover  102 . 
     The device  100  may also include a button  108  with which a user may interact to control aspects of the device  100 . The button  108  may also include a fingerprint sensor (or include components of a fingerprint sensor). The fingerprint sensor may be configured to capture an image or other representative data of a finger that is in contact with the button  108 . The device may verify that a user is an authorized user by comparing a captured image (or other representative data) of a finger that is in contact with the button  108  with stored images (or other representative data) of authorized users. 
     The device  100  may also include other buttons (e.g., buttons  116 ,  120 ), switches (e.g., switch  118 ), and/or other physical input systems. Such input systems may be used to control power states (e.g., the button  120 ), change speaker volume (e.g., buttons  116 ), switch between “ring” and “silent” modes, and the like (e.g., the switch  118 ). 
     The device  100  may also include a speaker outlet  110  to provide audio output to a user, such as to a user&#39;s ear during voice calls. The device  100  may also include a charging port  112  (e.g., for receiving a power cable for providing power to the device  100  and charging the battery of the device  100 ). The device  100  may also include loudspeaker openings  114 . The loudspeaker openings  114  may allow sound output from an internal speaker system (e.g., the speaker system  216 ,  FIG.  2   ) to exit the housing  104 . The device  100  may also include one or more microphones. In some cases, a microphone within the housing  104  may be acoustically coupled to the surrounding environment through a loudspeaker opening  114 . 
       FIG.  1 B  illustrates a back side of the device  100 . The device  100  may include a back cover  132  coupled to the housing  104 . The back cover  132  may include a substrate formed of glass, though other suitable materials may alternatively be used (e.g., plastic, sapphire, ceramic, ceramic glass, etc.). The back cover  132  may define a back exterior surface of the device  100 . The back cover  132  may include one or more decorative layers on the exterior or interior surface of the substrate. For example, one or more opaque layers may be applied to the interior surface of the substrate (or otherwise positioned along the interior surface of the substrate) to provide a particular appearance to the back side of the device  100 . The opaque layer(s) may include a sheet, ink, dye, or combinations of these (or other) layers, materials, or the like. In some cases the opaque layer(s) have a color that substantially matches a color of the housing  104  (e.g., the exterior surfaces of the housing members and the joint structures). The device  100  may include a wireless charging system, whereby the device  100  can be powered and/or its battery recharged by an inductive (or other electromagnetic) coupling between a charger and a wireless charging system within the device  100 . In such cases, the back cover  132  may be formed of a material that allows and/or facilitates the wireless coupling between the charger and the wireless charging system (e.g., glass). 
     The device  100  may also include a rear-racing camera  134  and a flash  136  that is configured to illuminate a scene to facilitate capturing images with the camera  134 . The flash  136  is configured to illuminate a scene to facilitate capturing images with the camera  134 . The flash  136  may include one or more light sources, such as one or more light emitting diodes (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more LEDs). 
       FIG.  2 A  is a partial cross-sectional view of the device  100 , viewed along line  2 A- 2 A in  FIG.  1 A .  FIG.  2 A  illustrates an example arrangement of components in the device  100 . For example, the device  100  may include a battery  200  and an internal component  202 . The internal component  202  may represent various different device components that may be within the device  100  and proximate the battery  200 . For example, the internal component  202  may represent a circuit board (e.g., a main logic board), a display or portion of a display stack, a touch sensor, a processor, a speaker module, a haptic output device, a camera, a combination of these (or other) components, or the like. 
     The battery  200  and the internal component  202  may be positioned within an internal volume defined at least in part by the housing  104 , the front cover  102 , and the back cover  132 . The battery  200  may be positioned below a top module  201 , which may include the front cover  102 , the display  103 , and/or other optional components. 
       FIG.  2 A  illustrates the device  100  when the battery  200  has not undergone any dynamic dimensional transformation. In this configuration, the device  100  may include a clearance  204  or gap between a top surface  206  of the battery  200  and a bottom surface of the top module  201 . The clearance  204  may be provided so that dynamic dimensional transformation of the battery may be accommodated without causing the battery to contact and/or press on the underside of the top module  201 . In some cases the distance between the top surface  206  of the battery  200  and the bottom surface of the top module  201  (or the bottom surface of whatever component is above the battery), also referred to as the clearance  204 , may be between about 8% to 12% of the height of the battery. For example, if the battery height (in the vertical direction as shown in  FIG.  2 A ) is 4.0 mm, the distance between the top surface  206  of the battery  200  and the bottom surface of the top module  201  may be between about 4.16 mm and about 4.48 mm. Other dimensions of the battery  200  and the clearance  204  are also contemplated. 
       FIG.  2 B  illustrates the device  100  in a condition where the battery  200  has undergone a dynamic dimensional transformation. In particular, the dynamic dimensional transformation may be due, at least in part, to the presence of gasses within the enclosure (e.g., pouch) of the battery  200 . 
     In order to alleviate dynamic dimensional transformation of the battery due to the presence of gasses within the battery enclosure, the battery  200  may include a gas release system that selectively releases gas from the battery  200 . For example, the battery  200 , or the device  100  more generally, may detect a presence of gas within the battery  200  or otherwise determine that the amount of gas or other gas condition within the battery  200  satisfies a criteria, and cause the gas release system to release gas from within the battery enclosure. Because the gas release system releases gas from the battery enclosure, dynamic dimensional transformation of the battery may be reduced, which in turn allows the device  100  to be designed with less clearance  204  between the battery  200  and the top module  201 . Because the clearance  204  between the battery  200  and the top module  201  may be less, the device  100  may be made thinner and more compact, producing smaller and lighter devices that are easier to hold, use, and transport. Additionally or alternatively, because the required clearance is smaller, a larger battery may be fitted to the device without increasing the device&#39;s overall thickness and while still providing sufficient space between the battery and other internal components. The larger battery may provide more energy storage capacity and allow greater time between charges. 
       FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the battery  200 . The battery  200  may include an enclosure, which may be a pouch  300 . The pouch  300  may encase a battery cell, which may be a jellyroll structure that includes electrodes (e.g., an anode and a cathode) and an electrolyte. The anode and cathode may be rolled, folded, or otherwise manipulated to form a “jellyroll” type shape and/or structure. 
     The battery cell within the pouch  300  may be coupled to battery terminals that conductively couple to other components of a device (e.g., processors, memory, etc.) to provide electrical power to those components. In the battery  200  shown in  FIG.  3   , the battery terminals may be on or coupled to a flexible substrate  308 . A connector  310  on the flexible substrate  308  may be conductively coupled to the battery terminals and may be used to physically and conductively couple the battery terminals to a corresponding connector within a device. In some cases, the battery terminals may be conductive traces that are applied to or otherwise integrated with the flexible substrate  308 . The flexible substrate  308  may extend into the interior volume of the pouch  300  through an opening in the pouch  300 . The opening in the pouch  300  may be sealed closed to form a flap  312 , which may then be folded against and optionally attached (e.g., via adhesive) to a side of the pouch  300 . The seal may be substantially air tight, such that a vacuum may be maintained in the pouch  300 . In some cases, the vacuum within the pouch  300  may be around 0.01 mbar, or any other suitable value that is less than atmospheric pressure (e.g., less than about 1.0 bar). 
     The battery  200  may also include one or more gas release systems  302 . The gas release systems may be configured to selectively release gas from within the pouch  300  (e.g., through a hole in the pouch). For example, as described herein, the gas release systems may include valves (e.g., microelectromechanical or “MEMS” valves) covering a hole in the pouch  300  and that can be selectively opened and closed based on the gas condition within the battery  200  to release gas from the pouch  300 . The gas release systems  302  may also include gas-permeable, waterproof membranes that extend across the holes in the pouch to allow gas to exit the pouch  300  while keeping electrolyte or other liquid, gel, or non-gaseous materials within the pouch  300  even while the valves are open. The gas-permeable, waterproof membranes may also prevent ingress of liquids into the pouch  300  while the valves are open. 
     The gas release systems  302  may be positioned on or along a minor side  316  of the battery  200 , rather than a major side of the battery  200  (e.g., a front or top side  314 ). By positioning the gas release systems  302  along the minor side  316 , any distance that the gas release systems  302  extend beyond the surface of the battery pouch  300  does not increase the thickness of the battery (e.g., the height dimension as oriented in  FIG.  2 A ), and thus does not increase the thickness of the device (e.g., the distance from the exterior surface of the cover  102  to the exterior surface of the back cover  132 ). Further, when the battery  200  is manufactured, a compressive force may be applied to the major surfaces of the battery  200  (e.g., the top side  314  and the bottom side opposite the top side  314 ). By placing the gas release systems  302  on the minor side  316  (or on any other side that is not subjected to high compressive forces during battery manufacturing), the gas release systems may avoid damage from the compressive forces. 
     In some cases, the manufacturing processes of the pouch  300  and/or battery more generally allow for the placement of the gas release systems  302  elsewhere on the battery  200 , such as the top side  314 , the bottom side, a different minor side, or the like. For example, a pouch formation process may include or result in a deformation and/or stretching of the pouch material, which may be limited to or more pronounced along the minor sides of the pouch. In such cases, the gas release systems  302  (or portions thereof) may be formed on a major side of the battery prior to the pouch formation process to prevent or limit damage to the gas release systems  302  as a result of the formation process. For example, the gas release systems  302  may be positioned at locations  303  on the top side  314  (though other locations on the top or bottom side are also contemplated). 
     The battery  200  may also include one or more components of a sensing system that is configured to detect a gas condition within the battery enclosure (e.g., a vacuum level within the enclosure, a pascal or bar value, or the like). As used herein, a sensing system may refer to or include the hardware, software, firmware, computer programs, or the like, that are used to sense and/or detect conditions and/or values. In some cases, a sensing system, such as a gas condition sensing system, may include various components, some of which may be shared by other systems or subsystems of the device or otherwise used for multiple purposes. For example, as described herein, a gas-condition sensing system may include a resistive sensor (e.g., a conductor that changes resistance when its shape or dimensions are changed) and a processor and/or processing system configured to correlate electrical values of the resistive sensor to pascal values. In some cases, the processing system includes a Wheatstone bridge. 
     Returning to  FIG.  3   , the battery  200  may include sensing components  304  and/or  306 . The sensing component  304  is shown positioned on or along the top side  314 , and the sensing component  306  is shown positioned on or along the minor surface (or side surface)  316 . The sensing components  304 ,  306  are shown in  FIG.  3    to illustrate example locations for sensing components on a battery, and the depicted quantity and locations of the sensing components are not meant to be limiting. Thus, more, fewer, and/or differently located sensing components may be used on a battery as described herein. 
     The sensing components  304 ,  306  shown in  FIG.  3    may represent various different types of sensor components for a gas-condition sensing system. The sensing components  304 ,  306  may be positioned on and/or integrated with the pouch  300 . As noted herein, the pouch  300  may be formed of a flexible laminate that includes barrier layers to prevent ingress of gasses into the pouch and to prevent electrolyte from leaving the pouch. Because the pouch is flexible, the sensing components  304 ,  306 , which are on and/or integrated with the pouch  300 , can facilitate detection of dynamic dimensional transformations of the pouch. 
     In some cases the sensing components  304 ,  306  are resistive sensors that, together with the rest of the sensing system, can correlate dimensional transformations of the pouch  300  (e.g., due to the presence of gas) to pascal values within the pouch. In some cases, the sensing components  304 ,  306  are or include conductive members that are in contact with one another, but separate from one another (and thus break electrical continuity) when the pouch undergoes a dynamic dimensional transformation. In some cases, the sensing components  304 ,  306  may be or may include transducers that, together with the rest of the sensing system, determine and/or detect a gas condition within the pouch  300 . Example transducers may use piezoelectric and/or piezoresistive elements on or inside the pouch  300 . Other types of sensing systems may also be used, and suitable components of those sensing systems may be included with the battery  200 . For example, the sensing components  304 ,  306  may be or include a sensing probe that is configured to sense the presence, amount, and/or concentration of a particular gas or other compound. As described herein, the sensing system (including the sensing component  304  and/or  306 ) may be used to determine when and for what duration to open a valve of a gas release system in order to release gas from the pouch. The sensing system may also be used to determine when to operate other systems to assist in the release of gas from the pouch. For example, the sensing system may be used to determine how and for what duration to operate a pump to assist in releasing or forcing gas from the pouch  300 . 
       FIG.  4    is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the battery  200 , viewed along line  4 - 4  in  FIG.  3   , showing details of the construction of the pouch  300 . The pouch  300 , which is one example of a battery enclosure, may encase a battery cell  400  in an interior volume of the enclosure. As noted above, the battery cell  400  may include components such as an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte, and/or other suitable components for storing and providing electrical power to a device. 
     The pouch  300  may include a wall  410  that is defined by a laminate. The laminate may include a first polymer layer  402  that defines an interior surface of the pouch, a metallic layer  404  over the first polymer layer  402 , an adhesive layer  406  over the metallic layer  404 , and a second polymer layer  408  over the adhesive layer  406  and defining an exterior surface of the pouch  300 . In some cases, the laminate that forms the wall  410  (and the pouch  300  more generally) may be formed of or include more, fewer, and/or different layers than those shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     The first polymer layer  402  may be a polypropylene or other non-conductive, flexible polymer film or layer. The first polymer layer  402  define an interior surface of the interior volume of the pouch and may be configured to prevent contact between the battery cell  400  and the metallic layer  404 . The metallic layer  404  may be formed from or include aluminum or another flexible metallic film or layer. The metallic layer  404  may provide strength and dimensional stability to the pouch  300 , and may define a liquid and gas impermeable layer (e.g., a barrier layer) between the battery cell  400  and the exterior environment. 
     The adhesive layer  406  may be configured to bond the second polymer layer  408 , which defines the exterior surface of the battery  200 , to the metallic layer  404 . The adhesive may be any suitable coating, film, tape, or the like, that bonds the second polymer layer  408  to the metallic layer  404 . 
     The second polymer layer  408  may be a nylon, polyamide, or other non-conductive, flexible polymer film or layer. The second polymer layer  408  may be pigmented, coated, painted, or otherwise made to be opaque. 
     In order to form the pouch  300 , a sheet of the laminate may be formed into a pouch shape, including by deforming, folding, and/or bonding the laminate, with the battery cell  400  inside the pouch  300 . The pouch  300  may then be evacuated and sealed to contain the battery cell  400  within the pouch. 
     As noted above, one or more gas release systems may be incorporated with the battery  200 .  FIG.  5 A  is a partial cross-sectional view of the battery  200 , viewed along line  5 A- 5 A in  FIG.  3   , illustrating an example configuration of the gas release system  302 . 
     As noted above, the gas release system  302  may include a valve, such as the valve  502 , that is configured to selectively release gas from the pouch  300 , and a gas-permeable membrane  518  that is configured to prevent liquid from escaping the pouch. 
     The gas-permeable membrane  518  may be a porous membrane, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The pores in the gas-permeable membrane  518  may be sufficiently large that gasses within the pouch  300  may pass through the gas-permeable membrane  518 , but sufficiently small that liquids or gels, such as the electrolyte in the battery cell  400 , do not pass through the gas-permeable membrane  518 . The gas-permeable membrane  518  may be reinforced on one or both sides by mesh materials  514 ,  516  (e.g., mesh screens). Where both mesh materials  514 ,  516  are included, the gas-permeable membrane  518  may be positioned between the mesh materials  514 ,  516 . In cases where only one mesh material is used, it may be positioned either above or below the gas-permeable membrane  518 . 
     The mesh materials  514 ,  516  may be formed of any suitable material, such as metal, polymer, carbon fiber, or the like. In some cases, the mesh may be stiffer than the gas-permeable membrane  518  to prevent or limit deformation and/or deflection of the gas-permeable membrane  518 . The mesh materials  514 ,  516  may be in contact with the gas-permeable membrane  518 , or they may be separated from the gas-permeable membrane  518  by a space. In the latter case, the space between the gas-permeable membrane  518  and the mesh material may prevent the mesh materials from abrading, tearing, or otherwise damaging the gas-permeable membrane  518 . 
     The gas-permeable membrane  518  and the mesh materials  514 ,  516  may be mounted in a frame member  512 , which may in turn be positioned in (or otherwise extend over) a hole  500  formed through the pouch  300  (e.g., through the first polymer layer  402 , the metallic layer  404 , the adhesive layer  406 , and the second polymer layer  408 ). The hole  500  may be formed through the pouch  300  before or after the laminate material is formed into the pouch shape. 
     The frame member  512  may be positioned on and/or bonded to one of the layers of the laminate that forms the pouch  300 . For example, the metallic layer  404  may define a ledge  520  within the hole  500 , and the frame member  512  may be positioned on and/or bonded to the metallic layer  404 . In some cases, the ledge  520  is defined by a different layer of the pouch  300 . For example, the ledge  520  may be defined by the first polymer layer  402 , or the adhesive layer  406 . In some cases, the frame member  512  is positioned on the second polymer layer  408 . In such case, a ledge may not be defined in the hole  500 , and/or any defined ledge may not support the frame member  512 . The frame member  512  may be held in place on the pouch  300  via an adhesive, a fastener, by overlapping one or more of the pouch layers on a portion of the frame member  512 , or the like. 
     In some cases, the frame member  512  may be omitted, and the gas-permeable membrane  518  and the optional mesh materials  514 ,  516  may be integrated with the layers of the pouch laminate. For example, the gas-permeable membrane  518  and the optional mesh materials  514 ,  516  may be larger (e.g., in diameter) than the hole  500 , and peripheral portions of the gas-permeable membrane  518  and the optional mesh materials  514 ,  516  may be sandwiched between layers. For example, the gas-permeable membrane  518  and the optional mesh materials  514 ,  516  may be sandwiched between the second polymer layer  408  and the metallic layer  404  (as shown in  FIG.  6 C ). In some cases, the gas-permeable membrane  518  and the optional mesh materials  514 ,  516  may be sandwiched between different pairs of layers. 
       FIG.  5 A  also illustrates an example configuration for the valve  502 . The valve may be a microelectromechanical (MEMS) component that can be controlled by the battery  200  and/or the device that contains the battery. In some cases, the valve  502  may have an outer dimension (e.g., a diameter, if the valve  502  has a circular shape) that is between about 0.001 mm and about 3.0 mm. In some cases, the valve may include an array of MEMS valve structures, with each valve structure defining a passage having a dimension (e.g., a diameter) between about 0.001 mm and about 0.1 mm, and with the overall valve (including the array of discrete passages) having a dimension (e.g., diameter or other dimension) between about 1.0 mm and about 10.0 mm. 
     The valve  502  may be attached to a circuit substrate  510 , such as a rigid or flexible circuit board. The valve  502  may be selectively actuated by a device to be opened or closed. In such cases, electrical or other signals may be transmitted to and/or from the valve  502  via conductors on or in the circuit substrate  510 . For example, a conductive trace on the circuit substrate  510  may provide an electrical signal to the valve  502  that causes the valve to open or close. 
     The valve  502  may include a shell  504  that defines one or more holes  506 , and a sealing element  508  in the shell  504 . The sealing element  508  may be configured to be selectively transitioned between a closed position and an open position in different modes of operation.  FIG.  5 A , for example, shows the sealing element in a closed position (which may correspond to a second mode of operation of the valve  502 ), in which the sealing element  508  is maintained against the circuit substrate  510  (though in other configurations it may be sealed against a different component of the valve  502  or pouch  300 ). The valve  502  may be maintained in the closed position by a spring, magnet, electromagnet, electromagnetic force, or any other suitable means. In some cases, the valve  502  (e.g., the sealing element  508 ) is mechanically biased in the closed position, such as via a spring, and is temporarily forced into an open position (e.g., via an electromagnetic force) in response to a signal being provided to the valve  502 . 
       FIG.  5 B  illustrates the valve  502  in an open position (which may correspond to a first mode of operation of the valve  502 ), in which the sealing element  508  is moved to release gas from the pouch  300  through the hole  500 . For example, gas may travel through the gas-permeable membrane  518  and the optional mesh materials  514 ,  516 , and through the holes  506  (as illustrated by arrows  522 ). The valve  502  may be caused to open by any suitable means, such as an electromagnetic force. 
     While the valve  502  (and other valves described herein) is shown as having a particular mechanical configuration, this is merely one example configuration for a valve that may be implemented according to the instant application. Indeed, other types and/or configurations of valves may also be used, and such valves may provide the same and/or similar functionality (e.g., selective and electrically-controllable opening and closing) as that described with reference to the valve  502 . The valves described herein may be normally-closed valves in which, in the absence of a signal, an applied electrical current, or other actuation command, the valve is maintained or biased in a closed position (e.g., via a spring or another biasing mechanism or material). The valves may also be configured to move to or remain in an open position if a certain condition is detected by the battery and/or a device, if the battery stops providing electrical power, or the like. 
     In some cases, the function of the gas-permeable, waterproof membrane (e.g., the membrane  518 ) is performed by another component.  FIGS.  6 A- 6 B  illustrate example configurations of pouches in which the gas-permeable membrane is defined by a porous region of one or more of the layers of the pouch. 
       FIG.  6 A  is a partial cross-sectional view of a battery  600  that includes a pouch  602 , a battery cell  604 , and a valve  606  in a hole that is formed through at least some of the layers of the pouch  602 . The battery  600 , pouch  602 , battery cell  604 , and valve  606  may be the same as or similar in construction, materials, and/or function to the battery  200 , pouch  300 , battery cell  400 , and valve  502 , and for brevity those details are not repeated here. 
     The pouch  602  may include a wall that is defined by a laminate. The laminate may include a first polymer layer  610  that defines an interior surface of the pouch, a metallic layer  612  over the first polymer layer  610 , an adhesive layer  614  over the metallic layer  612 , and a second polymer layer  616  over the adhesive layer  614  and defining an exterior surface of the pouch  602 . These layers may be the same as or similar in construction, materials, and/or function to the corresponding layers described with respect to  FIG.  4   , and for brevity those details are not repeated here. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 A , the pouch  602  may define a hole  601  that extends through the second polymer layer  616 , the adhesive layer  614 , and the metallic layer  612 . The first polymer layer  610  may define a porous region  620  that is generally aligned with or otherwise spans the hole. The porous region  620  may be gas-permeable and waterproof (e.g., liquid-impermeable), and may provide functionality that is the same as or similar to the gas-permeable membrane  518 . For example, the porous region  620  may be operative to allow gas to pass from inside the pouch  602 , while preventing or limiting liquid (e.g., electrolyte) from leaking out. The porous region  620  may be formed in any suitable manner, including by forming holes through the first polymer layer  610  (e.g., with a laser or other suitable technique). The holes may be less than about 5 microns in diameter, or less than about 1 micron in diameter. 
     The battery  600  may also include a valve  606 , which may be positioned at least partially within the hole  601 . The valve  606  may be attached to a circuit substrate  618 , such as a rigid or flexible circuit board. The valve  606  (and/or the circuit substrate  618 ) may be seated on and attached to one of the layers of the pouch  602 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  6 A , the metallic layer  612  may define a ledge  622  within the hole  601  on which the valve  606  may be positioned (and optionally attached, e.g., via adhesive). 
     In this way, the extent to which the valve  606  extends beyond the exterior surface of the second polymer layer  616  may be reduced (e.g., the valve  606  is set into the hole  601  to reduce the footprint of the battery  600 ). In some cases, the valve  606  is flush with or recessed relative to the exterior surface that is defined by the second polymer layer  616 . 
       FIG.  6 B  illustrates an example battery  630  that includes a pouch  632  defined by a laminate that includes a first polymer layer  640  that defines an interior surface of the pouch, a metallic layer  642  over the first polymer layer  640 , an adhesive layer  644  over the metallic layer  642 , and a second polymer layer  646  over the adhesive layer  644  and defining an exterior surface of the pouch  632 . The battery  630  also includes a valve  636  positioned over a hole  631  formed in the laminate. These components may be the same as or similar in construction, materials, and/or function to the corresponding components described herein, and for brevity those details are not repeated here. 
     Whereas  FIG.  6 A  included a porous region of the first polymer layer (e.g., the layer closest to the battery cell),  FIG.  6 B  illustrates an embodiment in which the porous region  641  is defined by the second polymer layer  646 . The porous region  641  may be produced by forming holes (e.g., less than about 5 microns, less than about 1 micron) through the second polymer layer  646  (e.g., with a laser). Similar to the gas-permeable membrane and the porous region  620 , the porous region  641  may be gas-permeable and waterproof to allow gas to leave the pouch while preventing or inhibiting the passage of liquid (e.g., battery electrolyte). 
       FIG.  6 C  illustrates an example battery  650  that includes a pouch  652  defined by a laminate that includes a first polymer layer  660  that defines an interior surface of the pouch, a metallic layer  662  over the first polymer layer  660 , an adhesive layer  664  over the metallic layer  662 , and a second polymer layer  666  over the adhesive layer  664  and defining an exterior surface of the pouch  652 . The battery  650  also includes a valve  656  positioned over a hole  651  formed in the laminate. These components may be the same as or similar in construction, materials, and/or function to the corresponding components described herein, and for brevity those details are not repeated here. 
     The battery  650  also includes a gas-permeable membrane  658  and optional mesh materials  657 ,  659 , which may be similar in materials, construction, and function to the gas-permeable membrane  518  and the mesh materials  514 ,  516 . The gas-permeable membrane  658  and optional mesh materials  657 ,  659  may be sandwiched between layers of the pouch  652 . In particular, a peripheral portion of the gas-permeable membrane  658  and optional mesh materials  657 ,  659  may be positioned between the metallic layer  662  and the second polymer layer  666 , such that the metallic layer  662  and the second polymer layer  666  (and optionally the adhesive layer  664 ) retain the gas-permeable membrane  658  and optional mesh materials  657 ,  659  in position over the hole  651 . In other implementations, the gas-permeable membrane  658  and optional mesh materials  657 ,  659  may be positioned between other layers of the laminate. 
       FIG.  6 D  illustrates an example battery  670  that includes a pouch  672  defined by a laminate that includes a first polymer layer  680  that defines an interior surface of the pouch, a metallic layer  682  over the first polymer layer  680 , an adhesive layer  684  over the metallic layer  682 , and a second polymer layer  686  over the adhesive layer  684  and defining an exterior surface of the pouch  672 . The battery  670  also includes a valve  676  positioned over a hole  671  formed in the laminate. These components may be the same as or similar in construction, materials, and/or function to the corresponding components described herein, and for brevity those details are not repeated here. 
     Whereas  FIG.  6 A  showed a circuit substrate  618  that extended along an exterior surface of the pouch and extended into a hole in the pouch,  FIG.  6 D  illustrates an embodiment in which the circuit substrate  688  (to which the valve  676  is attached) is positioned between layers of the laminate that defines the pouch  672 . As shown, the circuit substrate  688  (which may be a flexible circuit substrate) is positioned on the metallic layer  682 . The circuit substrate  688  may exit the pouch through an opening in the pouch, similar to the flexible substrate  308  ( FIG.  3   ). In some cases, the circuit substrate  688  may be conductively coupled to the flexible substrate  308 , and the circuit substrate  688  (and the valve  676 ) may be conductively coupled to other components of the device via a connector on the flexible substrate  308 . In other cases, the circuit substrate  688  exits the pouch at a different location to facilitate conductive coupling between the valve  676  and other components of the device. 
     As noted above, devices may include sensing systems that detect the presence or amount of gas in a battery, so that the device, or battery more specifically, can determine when to open and/or close the valve to release the gas from within the pouch.  FIGS.  7 A- 7 B  illustrate a partial cross-sectional view of the battery  200 , viewed along line  7 A- 7 A in  FIG.  3   , in which a component  304  of a sensing system is attached to a pouch  300  of the battery  200 . The component  304  may be any suitable component that facilitates the detection of gas in the battery  200 . In some cases, the component  304  is a resistive sensor or other suitable component that detects a gas condition based on a physical characteristic of the pouch  300 . For example, when gas is inside the pouch  300 , the presence of the gas may cause dynamic dimensional transformation of the pouch  300 , which may be detected by the resistive sensor or other suitable component. 
     In some cases, the component  304  is a fuse-like circuit in which two conductors are in contact with one another. When gas is in the pouch  300 , a resulting dynamic dimensional transformation of the pouch may cause the conductors to separate, thereby producing an open circuit. The sensing system may detect the open circuit, and control the gas release system (e.g., by opening a valve) in response to detecting the open circuit. The sensing system may also close the valve in response to detecting that the circuit has closed again. 
     The component  304  may be conductively coupled to other components of a sensing system (e.g., a processor). In some cases, the sensing system may be part of the battery, such that the battery itself can monitor for gas in the pouch and actuate (e.g., open and/or close) the valve when necessary. In other cases, some portion of the sensing system is part of the device in which the battery is integrated, and the sensing system is conductively and/or communicatively coupled to sensing system components on the battery. 
       FIG.  7 A  illustrates the battery  200  in a state where the battery  200  has undergone little or no dynamic dimensional transformation, and  FIG.  7 B  illustrates the battery  200  in a state where the battery  200  has undergone dynamic dimensional transformation and there is gas  700  in the pouch. In some cases, in the initial state of the battery, the pouch is evacuated. Accordingly, even small changes in the amount of gas in the pouch may result in dynamic dimensional transformation or other physical changes in the shape and/or size of the pouch  300 . Further, the amount of dynamic dimensional transformation of the pouch  300  may be proportional to a gas condition in the pouch. Accordingly, the component  304  (e.g., a resistive sensor), in conjunction with the sensing system as a whole, may be able to determine the gas condition (e.g., a pascal or bar value) in the pouch  300  based on the detected dynamic dimensional transformation. In some cases, the sensing system may determine whether a gas condition within the pouch  300  satisfies a criteria (e.g., is above and/or below a particular value), even without determining a numerical value. For example, if the component  304  (and/or the sensing system as a whole) detects that the pouch has experienced a predetermined amount of dynamic dimensional transformation, the sensing system may determine that the gas condition in the pouch  300  satisfies a criteria. If the component  304  detects a dynamic dimensional transformation that is below the predetermined amount, the sensing system may determine that that the gas condition in the pouch  300  does not satisfy the criteria. 
       FIG.  7 C  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a battery  710  that includes a component  716  of a sensor within the pouch  714  (e.g., with the battery cell  712 , which may be the same as or similar to the battery cell  400 ). The component  716  may be a resistive sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or any other suitable component. In such cases, the component  716  may be attached to the pouch  714  so that dynamic dimensional transformations of the pouch are transferred to the component  716 . In some cases, the component  716  may be a force transducer. In some cases, the component  716  may be a gas sensor (or component thereof) that can detect a presence, amount, and/or concentration of gas in the pouch  714 . The component  716  may be conductively coupled to other components of a sensing system via conductors (e.g., a flex circuit, wires, conductive traces, etc.), which may exit the pouch  714  with the battery terminals (e.g., on the flexible substrate  308 ,  FIG.  3   ). 
     In some cases, gasses within a battery may naturally leave the pouch when a valve is commanded to open. In other cases, a battery may include a pump that is configured to assist in the release of gas from within the pouch.  FIGS.  8 A- 8 C  depict an example pump that uses a diaphragm to assist in releasing gas from the pouch, and  FIGS.  9 A- 9 B  depict an example pump that uses a compressive force on the battery to assist in releasing gas from the pouch. 
     With reference to  FIG.  8 A , a pump  800  may be coupled to a battery pouch  802  (which may be an embodiment of other pouches described herein). The pump  800  may include a diaphragm  804  and actuators  806  that are configured to cause the diaphragm  804  to move to produce a pumping action of the diaphragm  804 . The actuators  806  may be piezoelectric materials or any other suitable mechanism or material that can change the shape of the diaphragm  804 . The diaphragm  804  may define a hole  812 , and a first valve  808  over the hole  812 . The pouch  802  may define a hole  811 , with an air-permeable membrane  814  across the hole  811  and a second valve  810  across the hole  811 . 
     In order to draw gas from the pouch, while also preventing external air into the pouch, the diaphragm  804  may be (1) expanded to draw gas out of the pouch  802  and into the volume under the diaphragm, and (2) contracted to push the gas out of the volume under the diaphragm.  FIG.  8 B  illustrates the pump  800  with the diaphragm expanding (e.g., to expand the volume  805  under the diaphragm  804 ). In particular, the actuators  806  may cause the diaphragm  804  to expand, as illustrated by arrows  818 , such that the volume  805  increases. This increase in volume may draw gas through the hole  811 , through the membrane  814 , through the now-open valve  810 , and into the volume  805 . 
     Once the gas is drawn into the volume  805 , the second valve  810  may be closed and the diaphragm  804  may be contracted to shrink the volume  805 , thereby pushing the gas out of the volume  805 , through the hole  812  and through the open first valve  808 .  FIG.  8 C  illustrates the pump  800  with the diaphragm  804  contracted, as indicated by arrows  820 . The second valve  810  is closed to prevent the gas from being forced back into the pouch, and the first valve  808  is open to allow the gas to be pushed out of the volume  805 , as indicated by arrows  822 . 
     The first and second valves  808 ,  810  may be passive valves that are forced open and/or closed based on the volume changes produced by the movement of the diaphragm  804 . In some cases, one or both of the first and second valves  808 ,  810  may be selectively actuated (e.g., commanded to open or close) by a processing system. Further, one or both of the first and second valves  808 ,  810  may be biased in a closed position by a spring or other biasing structure. 
     Electrical components that are attached to a battery pouch (e.g., valves, resistive sensors, transducers, pump actuators etc.) may be conductively coupled to other components, circuitry, or the like, via conductive traces that are integrated with one or more layers of the pouch. For example, the second polymer layer of a pouch (e.g., the outermost layer) may include conductive traces that are conductively coupled to the electrical components on the pouch, and which may carry signals between the components on the pouch and other circuitry within the device. Conductive traces may be on or between other layers of the pouch as well. 
       FIGS.  9 A- 9 B  illustrate another example mechanism for assisting in the release of gas from a battery. In particular,  FIG.  9 A  illustrates a battery  900  positioned in a rigid frame  902 . The rigid frame  902  may be a metal or polymer frame, or it may be defined by adjacent components within a device (e.g., circuit boards, housing members, or other internal structures of a mobile phone, tablet, laptop computer, or the like). A plunger  904  may be configured to press on the battery  900  to push gases out of the battery (e.g., through a gas release system as described herein).  FIG.  9 B  illustrates the plunger  904  pressing against the battery  900  (as indicated by arrows  906 ) to help push gasses out of the pouch. In cases where the gas release system includes a selectively actuatable valve, the valve may be commanded to open while the plunger  904  is pressing on the battery, and commanded to close as the plunger  904  reaches the end of its travel (e.g., when it is done pressing on the battery  900  but before it ceases to press on the battery  900 ). 
       FIG.  9 C  illustrates a battery  910  that is subjected to a biasing force in order to assist in the release of gas from within the pouch when the valve is opened. For example, the battery  910  may be positioned between a bottom structure  912  of the device (e.g., a back housing member), and a top structure  914  (e.g., a front or top housing member, a display stack, or the like). A biasing member  916  may be positioned between the battery  910  and one of the top  914  or the bottom structure  912 . In some cases, biasing members may be positioned both above and below the battery  910 . The biasing member  916  may be formed of or include an elastomeric or compliant material, such as a spring, foam, elastomer, or the like, to press on the battery  910 . When the valve on the battery  910  is opened, the biasing member  916  may press on the battery to push gas out of the pouch (through the valve). 
       FIG.  10    illustrates an example process  1000  for releasing gas from a battery pouch using the systems described herein. At operation  1002 , a gas condition is detected. The gas condition may be detected by a sensing system. The sensing system may include resistive sensors, piezoelectric and/or piezoresistive materials, transducers, or the like, as described herein. While a numerical value of the gas condition (e.g., a pascal or bar value) may be determined, in some implementations a numerical value may not be determined. For example, a sensing system may detect a predetermined amount of dynamic dimensional transformation of the battery pouch, thereby indicating that a gas condition within the battery pouch satisfies a criteria. 
     At operation  1004 , a valve on the battery may be opened (e.g., corresponding to a first mode of operation). Opening the valve (e.g., the valve  502 ,  FIG.  5 A ) may be achieved by sending a command or signal to the valve (e.g., by a processing system) that causes the valve to move from a closed position to an open position. The valve may be moved to the open position (e.g., commanded to open) in response to a determination that the gas condition satisfies criteria (which may be determined by detecting a dynamic dimensional transformation of a pouch that satisfies a criteria, such as a predetermined amount of dynamic dimensional transformation). In some cases, opening the valve may occur as a result of the action of a pump (e.g., as described with respect to  FIGS.  8 A- 9 B ). 
     At operation  1006 , gas may be released from the pouch. In some cases, once the battery valve is opened, the gas leaves the battery pouch without additional external influence on the battery. In other cases, releasing the gas may include actuating a pump mechanism to push the gas from the pouch (e.g., as described with respect to  FIGS.  8 A- 9 B ). 
     At operation  1008 , the valve on the battery may be closed (e.g., corresponding to a second mode of operation). Closing the valve (e.g., the valve  502 ,  FIG.  5 A ) may be achieved by sending a command or signal to the valve (e.g., by a processing system) that causes the valve to move from an open position to a closed position. The valve may be moved to the closed position (e.g., commanded to close) in response to a determination that the gas condition fails to satisfy a criteria (e.g., it no longer satisfies the criteria). A determination that the gas condition fails to (or no longer) satisfies the criteria may include detecting a dynamic dimensional transformation that is below a predetermined amount). In some cases, closing the valve may occur as a result of the action of a pump (e.g., as described with respect to  FIGS.  8 A- 9 B ). 
       FIG.  11    depicts an example schematic diagram of an electronic device  1100 . The electronic device  1100  may be an embodiment of or otherwise represent the device  100  (or other devices described herein). The electronic device  1100  may be a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, biometric sensor), or the like. The device  1100  includes one or more processing units  1101  that are configured to access a memory  1102  having instructions stored thereon. The instructions or computer programs may be configured to perform one or more of the operations or functions described with respect to the electronic devices described herein. For example, the instructions may be configured to control or coordinate the operation of one or more displays  1108 , one or more touch sensors  1103 , one or more force sensors  1105 , one or more communication channels  1104 , one or more audio input systems  1109 , one or more audio output systems  1110 , one or more positioning systems  1111 , one or more sensors  1112 , one or more gas release systems, and/or one or more haptic feedback devices  1106 . 
     The processing units  1101  of  FIG.  11    may be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the processing units  1101  may include one or more of: a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or combinations of such devices. As described herein, the term “processor” or “processing system” is meant to encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processing units, or other suitably configured computing element or elements. The processing units  1101  may be coupled to a logic board. 
     The memory  1102  can store electronic data that can be used by the device  1100 . For example, a memory can store electrical data or content such as, for example, audio and video files, images, documents and applications, device settings and user preferences, programs, instructions, timing and control signals or data for the various modules, data structures or databases, and so on. The memory  1102  can be configured as any type of memory. By way of example only, the memory can be implemented as random access memory, read-only memory, Flash memory, removable memory, or other types of storage elements, or combinations of such devices. The memory  1102  may be coupled to a logic board. 
     The touch sensors  1103  may detect various types of touch-based inputs and generate signals or data that are able to be accessed using processor instructions. The touch sensors  1103  may use any suitable components and may rely on any suitable phenomena to detect physical inputs. For example, the touch sensors  1103  may be capacitive touch sensors, resistive touch sensors, acoustic wave sensors, or the like. The touch sensors  1103  may include any suitable components for detecting touch-based inputs and generating signals or data that are able to be accessed using processor instructions, including electrodes (e.g., electrode layers), physical components (e.g., substrates, spacing layers, structural supports, compressible elements, etc.) processors, circuitry, firmware, and the like. The touch sensors  1103  may be integrated with or otherwise configured to detect touch inputs applied to any portion of the device  1100 . For example, the touch sensors  1103  may be configured to detect touch inputs applied to any portion of the device  1100  that includes a display (and may be integrated with a display). The touch sensors  1103  may operate in conjunction with the force sensors  1105  to generate signals or data in response to touch inputs. A touch sensor or force sensor that is positioned over a display surface or otherwise integrated with a display may be referred to herein as a touch-sensitive display, force-sensitive display, or touchscreen. 
     The force sensors  1105  may detect various types of force-based inputs and generate signals or data that are able to be accessed using processor instructions. The force sensors  1105  may use any suitable components and may rely on any suitable phenomena to detect physical inputs. For example, the force sensors  1105  may be strain-based sensors, piezoelectric-based sensors, piezoresistive-based sensors, capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, or the like. The force sensors  1105  may include any suitable components for detecting force-based inputs and generating signals or data that are able to be accessed using processor instructions, including electrodes (e.g., electrode layers), physical components (e.g., substrates, spacing layers, structural supports, compressible elements, etc.) processors, circuitry, firmware, and the like. The force sensors  1105  may be used in conjunction with various input mechanisms to detect various types of inputs. For example, the force sensors  1105  may be used to detect presses or other force inputs that satisfy a force threshold (which may represent a more forceful input than is typical for a standard “touch” input) Like the touch sensors  1103 , the force sensors  1105  may be integrated with or otherwise configured to detect force inputs applied to any portion of the device  1100 . For example, the force sensors  1105  may be configured to detect force inputs applied to any portion of the device  1100  that includes a display (and may be integrated with a display). The force sensors  1105  may operate in conjunction with the touch sensors  1103  to generate signals or data in response to touch- and/or force-based inputs. 
     The device  1100  may also include one or more haptic devices  1106 . The haptic device  1106  may include one or more of a variety of haptic technologies such as, but not necessarily limited to, rotational haptic devices, linear actuators, piezoelectric devices, vibration elements, and so on. In general, the haptic device  1106  may be configured to provide punctuated and distinct feedback to a user of the device. More particularly, the haptic device  1106  may be adapted to produce a knock or tap sensation and/or a vibration sensation. Such haptic outputs may be provided in response to detection of touch and/or force inputs, and may be imparted to a user through the exterior surface of the device  1100  (e.g., via a glass or other surface that acts as a touch- and/or force-sensitive display or surface). 
     The one or more communication channels  1104  may include one or more wireless interface(s) that are adapted to provide communication between the processing unit(s)  1101  and an external device. The one or more communication channels  1104  may include antennas (e.g., antennas that include or use the housing members of the housing  104  as radiating members), communications circuitry, firmware, software, or any other components or systems that facilitate wireless communications with other devices. In general, the one or more communication channels  1104  may be configured to transmit and receive data and/or signals that may be interpreted by instructions executed on the processing units  1101 . In some cases, the external device is part of an external communication network that is configured to exchange data with wireless devices. Generally, the wireless interface may communicate via, without limitation, radio frequency, optical, acoustic, and/or magnetic signals and may be configured to operate over a wireless interface or protocol. Example wireless interfaces include radio frequency cellular interfaces (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 4G long-term evolution (LTE), 5G, GSM, CDMA, or the like), fiber optic interfaces, acoustic interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, infrared interfaces, USB interfaces, Wi-Fi interfaces, TCP/IP interfaces, network communications interfaces, or any conventional communication interfaces. The one or more communication channels  1104  may also include ultra-wideband interfaces, which may include any appropriate communications circuitry, instructions, and number and position of suitable UWB antennas. 
     As shown in  FIG.  11   , the device  1100  may include a battery  1107  that is used to store and provide power to the other components of the device  1100 . The battery  1107  may be a rechargeable power supply that is configured to provide power to the device  1100 . The battery  1107  may be coupled to charging systems (e.g., wired and/or wireless charging systems) and/or other circuitry to control the electrical power provided to the battery  1107  and to control the electrical power provided from the battery  1107  to the device  1100 . The battery  1107  may be an embodiment of or otherwise represent the battery  200  (or other batteries described herein). 
     The battery  1107  may include a gas release system, as described herein, to release gas from within the pouch of the battery. The gas release system may include one or more selectively actuatable valves (e.g., opening and closing in response to commands or signals from a processing system), and air-permeable waterproof membranes. The battery  1107  may also include or be associated with a sensing system that detects gas conditions within the battery  1107 . For example, the sensing system may include resistive sensors, piezoelectric or piezoresistive materials, transducers, or other suitable materials, components, or systems that detect or facilitate detection of a gas condition in the battery  1107 . 
     The device  1100  may also include one or more displays  1108  configured to display graphical outputs. The displays  1108  may use any suitable display technology, including liquid crystal displays (LCD), organic light emitting diodes (OLED), active-matrix organic light-emitting diode displays (AMOLED), or the like. The displays  1108  may display graphical user interfaces, images, icons, or any other suitable graphical outputs. The display  1108  may correspond to the display  103 ,  FIG.  1 A . 
     The device  1100  may also provide audio input functionality via one or more audio input systems  1109 . The audio input systems  1109  may include microphones, transducers, or other devices that capture sound for voice calls, video calls, audio recordings, video recordings, voice commands, and the like. 
     The device  1100  may also provide audio output functionality via one or more audio output systems (e.g., speakers)  1110 . The audio output systems  1110  may produce sound from voice calls, video calls, streaming or local audio content, streaming or local video content, or the like. 
     The device  1100  may also include a positioning system  1111 . The positioning system  1111  may be configured to determine the location of the device  1100 . For example, the positioning system  1111  may include magnetometers, gyroscopes, accelerometers, optical sensors, cameras, global positioning system (GPS) receivers, inertial positioning systems, or the like. The positioning system  1111  may be used to determine spatial parameters of the device  1100 , such as the location of the device  1100  (e.g., geographical coordinates of the device), measurements or estimates of physical movement of the device  1100 , an orientation of the device  1100 , or the like. 
     The device  1100  may also include one or more additional sensors or sensing systems  1112  to receive inputs (e.g., from a user or another computer, device, system, network, etc.) or to detect any suitable property or parameter of the device, the environment surrounding the device, people or things interacting with the device (or nearby the device), or the like. For example, a device may include a sensing system that detects a gas condition within a battery enclosure. The sensing system may determine whether a gas condition in the battery enclosure satisfies a criteria, and, optionally in conjunction with the processing unit, may cause the valves of a gas release system to open to release the gas, and to close to reseal the pouch. 
     The device may also include temperature sensors, biometric sensors (e.g., fingerprint sensors, photoplethysmographs, blood-oxygen sensors, blood sugar sensors, or the like), eye-tracking sensors, retinal scanners, humidity sensors, buttons, switches, lid-closure sensors, or the like. 
     To the extent that multiple functionalities, operations, and structures described with reference to  FIG.  11    are disclosed as being part of, incorporated into, or performed by the device  1100 , it should be understood that various embodiments may omit any or all such described functionalities, operations, and structures. Thus, different embodiments of the device  1100  may have some, none, or all of the various capabilities, apparatuses, physical features, modes, and operating parameters discussed herein. Further, the systems included in the device  1100  are not exclusive, and the device  1100  may include alternative or additional systems, components, modules, programs, instructions, or the like, that may be necessary or useful to perform the functions described herein. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID&#39;s, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that is of greater interest to the user. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enables users calculated control of the delivered content. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of advertisement delivery services, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide mood-associated data for targeted content delivery services. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time mood-associated data is maintained or entirely prohibit the development of a baseline mood profile. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, content can be selected and delivered to users by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the content being requested by the device associated with a user, other non-personal information available to the content delivery services, or publicly available information. 
     As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list. The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at a minimum one of any of the items, and/or at a minimum one of any combination of the items, and/or at a minimum one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or one or more of each of A, B, and C. Similarly, it may be appreciated that an order of elements presented for a conjunctive or disjunctive list provided herein should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to only that order provided. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Also, when used herein to refer to positions of components, the terms above, below, over, under, left, or right (or other similar relative position terms), do not necessarily refer to an absolute position relative to an external reference, but instead refer to the relative position of components within the figure being referred to. Similarly, horizontal and vertical orientations may be understood as relative to the orientation of the components within the figure being referred to, unless an absolute horizontal or vertical orientation is indicated.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200903
Publication Date: 20231121
Grant Date: 20231121
Priority Date: 20200903
Inventors: RYU, KEE SUK
HALL, ANDREW J.
LI, JINGYI
LEE, KI MYUNG
LEE, SUNG CHANG
WU, WEI GUANG
BOEHLER, THOMAS A.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01M50/317", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1635", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/48", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/209", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/325", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/394", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M2220/30", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/317", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0262", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1635", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M2220/30", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/105", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/394", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/325", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/48", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/119", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/121", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/126", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y02E60/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M10/48", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M2220/30", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1635", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/209", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/325", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/394", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 80358937