PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12191511-B2
Application Number: US-202016874355-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Battery cell with serpentine tab

Abstract:
The disclosed technology relates to an electrical feedthrough for a battery cell. The electrical feedthrough may include a pin configured to form an external battery terminal, an insulator surrounding the pin and configured to electrically isolate the pin, a channel, and a serpentine tab electrically coupled to the pin at a first end. The serpentine tab is nested within the channel to minimize use of space within an enclosure of the battery cell thereby increasing energy capacity of the battery cell by eliminating the need to allot space within the enclosure to accommodate the tab.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A battery cell, comprising:
 a set of layers comprising a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a separator layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer; 
 an enclosure enclosing the set of layers; 
 a cap disposed over an opening of the enclosure, wherein the cap comprises a channel extending along a periphery of a surface of the cap; and 
 a feedthrough comprising:
 a pin extending from the surface of the cap to form an external battery terminal; 
 an insulator surrounding the pin and configured to electrically isolate the pin; 
 a serpentine tab electrically coupled to the pin extending from the surface of the cap at a first end, the serpentine tab electrically coupled to a tab extending from the set of layers at a second end; and 
 wherein the serpentine tab is nested within the channel to minimize use of space within the enclosure. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The battery cell of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating layer disposed between the set of layers and the serpentine tab. 
     
     
       3. The battery cell of  claim 1 , wherein the feedthrough further comprises a plug configured to seal a hole used to fill the enclosure with electrolyte. 
     
     
       4. The battery cell of  claim 1 , wherein the feedthrough further comprises an insert disposed within the channel, the insert configured to electrically isolate the serpentine tab from the channel. 
     
     
       5. The battery cell of  claim 1 , wherein an intermediate portion of the serpentine tab and the second end of the serpentine tab are disposed entirely within the channel, the intermediate portion extending from the first end. 
     
     
       6. The battery cell of  claim 1 , wherein the serpentine tab comprises an insulated portion extending between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
       7. The battery cell of  claim 1 , wherein the insulator is formed of glass. 
     
     
       8. A battery feedthrough, comprising:
 a cap configured to be disposed over an opening of the enclosure, wherein the cap comprises a channel extending along a periphery of a surface of the cap; 
 a pin disposed through an opening of the cap, the pin extending from the surface of the cap to form an external battery terminal; 
 an insulator surrounding the pin, the insulator bonded to a periphery of the opening of the cap and configured to electrically isolate the pin from the cap; 
 a channel formed on a surface of the cap; 
 a serpentine tab electrically coupled to the pin extending from the surface of the cap at a first end; and
 wherein an intermediate portion of the serpentine tab and a second end of the serpentine tab are disposed entirely within the channel to minimize use of space within the cap. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The battery feedthrough of  claim 8 , wherein the feedthrough further comprises an insert disposed within the channel, the insert configured to electrically isolate the serpentine tab from the cap. 
     
     
       10. The battery feedthrough of  claim 8 , wherein a material of the pin comprises molybdenum. 
     
     
       11. The battery feedthrough of  claim 8 , wherein the serpentine tab comprises an insulated portion extending between the first end and the second end.

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/864,071, entitled “BATTERY CELL WITH SERPENTINE TAB,” filed on Jun. 20, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to battery cells, and more particularly, to an electrical feedthrough with an integrally formed channel to house a serpentine tab. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Battery cells are used to provide power to a wide variety of portable electronic devices, including laptop computers, tablet computers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital music players, watches, and wearable devices. A commonly used type of battery is a lithium battery, which can include a lithium-ion or a lithium-polymer battery. 
     Lithium batteries often include cells that are made of alternating layers of anode and cathode electrodes, with a separator disposed there-between. The layers may be packaged in an enclosure. A first set of electrodes of the cell may be electrically coupled to a wall of the enclosure where the enclosure is itself, made of a conductive material. A second set of electrodes may utilize an electrical feedthrough to provide an electrical connection, through the enclosure, to the second set of electrodes. 
     Feedthroughs may utilize a tab extending from a terminal or pin to connect to electrodes enclosed within the enclosure. To enable welding of the tab to the electrodes, a working or service length of the tab is required which in turn, occupies space within the enclosure thereby reducing an amount of volume that could otherwise be occupied by the electrodes. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosed embodiments provide for a battery cell that utilizes a channel in a feedthrough to stow a serpentine tab that is connected to a pin of the feedthrough on one end, and a cathode layer or an anode layer on another end. The battery cell includes a set of layers that include a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a separator layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer. The set of layers are enclosed within an enclosure. A feedthrough includes a pin configured to form an external battery terminal, an insulator surrounding the pin and configured to electrically isolate the pin, a channel, and a serpentine tab electrically coupled to the pin at a first end and to a tab extending from the set of layers at a second end. The serpentine tab is nested within the channel to minimize use of space within the enclosure. 
     In some embodiments, a battery feedthrough includes a cap, a pin disposed through an opening of the cap to form an external battery terminal, an insulator surrounding the pin and bonded to a periphery of the opening of the cap to electrically isolate the pin from the cap, a channel formed on a surface of the cap, and a serpentine tab electrically coupled to the pin at a first end. An intermediate portion of the serpentine tab and a second end of the serpentine tab are disposed entirely within the channel to minimize use of space within the cap. 
     In some embodiments, a method for manufacturing a battery cell is disclosed. The method includes forming a channel on a surface of a cap of a feedthrough; and insulating a pin from the cap using an insulator. The insulator is bonded to a periphery of an opening of the cap and configured to electrically insulate the pin from the cap. The method also includes welding a first end of a serpentine tab to the pin to form an external battery terminal. The method also includes inserting a set of layers within a cup of an enclosure. The set of layers include a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a separator layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer. The method further includes welding a second end of the serpentine tab to a tab extending from the set of layers; and disposing the feedthrough onto the cup to enclose the set of layers. The method further includes nestling the serpentine tab within the channel of the cap to minimize use of space within the enclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of a battery cell with a feedthrough having a channel to house a tab, in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a bottom perspective view of a feedthrough with a channel to house a tab, in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a cross-section view of an assembled battery cell having a feedthrough with a channel to house a tab, in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-section view of an assembled battery, in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a portable electronic device, in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology; and 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an example method for manufacturing a battery cell, in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     Rechargeable batteries for portable electronic devices often include cells that are made of alternating layers of anode and cathode electrodes, with a separator disposed there-between. The layers may be packaged in an enclosure and may utilize an electrical feedthrough to make an electrical connection to a set of electrodes enclosed within the enclosure. Feedthroughs may utilize a tab extending from a terminal or pin to connect to electrodes enclosed within the enclosure. To enable welding of the tab to the electrodes, a working or service length of the tab is required which in turn, occupies space within the enclosure thereby reducing an amount of volume that could otherwise be occupied by the electrodes, and further reducing packaging efficiency. Accordingly, there is a need for certain embodiments of a compact and robust feedthrough for use in battery cells that improves packaging efficiency and increases energy capacity of the battery cell. 
     The disclosed technology addresses the foregoing limitations of conventional feedthroughs for battery cells by utilizing a feedthrough having a channel formed thereon to entirely house a serpentine tab therein without utilizing additional space within the enclosure, thereby improving packaging efficiency and increasing energy capacity of the battery cell by eliminating the need to allot space within the enclosure to accommodate the tab. The serpentine tab is configured to deform and provide added length to facilitate a welding, bonding, or coupling operation to an anode layer or a cathode layer, and after welding, return to an initial shape that is entirely accommodated within the channel of the feedthrough without requiring additional space within the enclosure for storage or management of the tab. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of a battery cell  100  having a feedthrough  101  with a channel  110  to house a serpentine tab  116 , in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. The battery cell  100  comprises an enclosure  121 , a set of layers  124  enclosed within the enclosure  121 , and a feedthrough  101 . The set of layers  124  may comprise at least one cathode layer with an active coating, at least one anode layer with an active coating, and a separator disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer. A tab  126  may extend from the cathode and/or anode layers, as discussed further below with reference to  FIG.  4   . In one aspect, the tab  126  extending from the set of layers  124  may comprise an exposed portion and an insulated portion  128  that is configured to insulate the tab  126 . In another aspect, an insulating layer  130  may be disposed atop of the set of layers  124  to insulate the set of layers  124  from the feedthrough  101 , and more particularly, to insulate the set of layers  124  from the serpentine tab  116 . 
     The enclosure  121  may comprise a cup  122  formed of a rigid material, such as a metal alloy which may, for example, include stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, or other sufficiently rigid materials as would be known by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The enclosure  121  may have a non-corrosive coating line the interior of the enclosure  121  and is configured to enclose and protect one or more sets of electrodes or layers  124  disposed within the enclosure  121 . The enclosure  121  may have a cylindrical, cuboid, prism, conical, or pyramid shape. In one aspect, the enclosure  121  may be drawn from tube stock to form a cylinder having opening on both ends. In other aspects, the enclosure  121  may have a closed end opposite an open end. The open ends may each be configured to receive the feedthrough  101 . 
     The feedthrough  101  may comprise a cap  102 , an opening  104 , a terminal or pin  106 , an insulator  108 , a channel  110 , and a serpentine tab  116 . The feedthrough  101  is configured to seal the set of layers  124  within the enclosure  121  and to provide an electrical connection to the anode or cathode layer of the set of layers  124  via the serpentine tab connected to the pin  106 . The feedthrough  101  may be disposed within an opening of the enclosure  121  and bonded, glued, welded, or coupled, to the enclosure  121 . The feedthrough  101  may also include a plug  112  to seal a hole in the cap  102  that may be used to fill the enclosure  121  with electrolyte. 
     The cap  102  may be sized to cover an opening of the cup  122  and is configured to create a seal between the cup  122  and the cap  102  after a bonding, gluing, welding, or coupling operation. The opening  104  extends through the cap  102  and may comprise a lip for bonding with the insulator  108 . 
     The pin  106  extends through the opening  104  and is insulated from the cap  102  by the insulator  108 . The pin  106  is configured to form an external battery terminal for the anode or cathode layers of the set of layers  124  enclosed in the enclosure  121 . The pin  106  extends through the insulator  108  and is electrically coupled to the cathode or anode of the set of layers  124  via the serpentine tab  116  to form an external battery terminal. The pin  106  may comprise a metal or alloy, or material that is capable of conducting electricity, such as molybdenum. In one aspect, the pin  106  may be spot welded, ultra-sonically welded, percussion welded, or resistance welded to the serpentine tab  116  at a first end of the serpentine tab  116 . 
     The insulator  108  surrounds the pin  106  and may be bonded to a periphery of the opening  104  of the cap  102  to electrically isolate the pin  106  from the cap  102 . The insulator  108  is formed of an electrically insulating material, such as glass or a ceramic. 
     The channel  110  may be integrally formed on a surface of the cap  102  and is configured to provide a recess for the serpentine tab  116  to be nestled therein. The channel  110  may extend along a periphery of the cap  102  and may have a one or more curves. The recess of the channel  110  is disposed on a side of the cap  102  that faces the set of layers  124  and may be formed via a forming or stamping operation that results in the cap  102  being shaped or formed to create the channel  110 . 
     At a second end of the serpentine tab  116 , the serpentine tab  116  is coupled to one or more tabs  126  extending from the cathode or anode of the set of layers  124  by, for example, a welding operation. The serpentine tab  116  has a sufficient length, when manipulated, to facilitate a welding operation of the serpentine tab  116  to the set of layers  124 . When coupled to the tab  126  extending from the set of layers  124 , electrical energy from the cathode or anode layer, for example, passes through the tab  126  extending from the set of layers, to the serpentine tab  116 , and to the pin  106 , to thereby provide an external terminal for the battery cell  100 . 
     In one aspect, by stowing, storing, housing or nestling the serpentine tab  116  within the channel  110 , the serpentine tab  116  does not utilize space within the enclosure  121  thereby improving packaging efficiency and increasing energy capacity by eliminating the need for any space within the enclosure  121  to accommodate the serpentine tab  116 . In other words, the channel  110  is configured to house a length of the serpentine tab  116  such that after welding of the serpentine tab  116  to the set of layers  124 , the serpentine tab  116  may be stowed, stored, housed, or nestled entirely within the channel  110 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a bottom perspective view of the feedthrough  101  with the channel  110  to house the serpentine tab  116 , in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. As shown, the channel  110  comprises a recess formed on the cap  102  that is sized to stow, store, or house the serpentine tab  116 . The serpentine tab  116  may have an insulated portion  118  extending between a first end and a second end of the serpentine tab  116 . In one example, the insulated portion  118  may comprise a non-conductive film surrounding the serpentine tab  116 . In another example, the insulated portion  118  may comprise an injection molded insulator surrounding the serpentine tab  116 . The recess of the channel  110  may be sized to also accommodate the insulated portion  118  within the recess. Specifically, the first end of the serpentine tab  116  is electrically coupled to the pin  106  and the second end of the serpentine tab  116  is configured to be stowed, stored, or housed within the channel  110 . 
     In one aspect, the serpentine tab  116  may have a three-dimensional shape to enable the serpentine tab to be connected to the pin  106  and also lay flat against the channel  110 . For example, referring to  FIG.  2   , the serpentine tab  116  may have an offset at the first end to facilitate coupling with the pin  106  while enabling the remaining portion of the serpentine tab  116  to lay within the channel  110 . As such, an intermediate portion of the serpentine tab  116  defined by a portion of the serpentine tab  116  between the offset at the first end and the second end of the serpentine tab  116 , may be disposed entirely within the channel  110 , as shown in FIG.  2 . The second end of the serpentine tab  116  may also be disposed entirely within the channel  110 . 
     In some aspects, the feedthrough  101  may further comprise an insert  114  disposed within the channel  110  to electrically isolate the serpentine tab  116  from the cap  102  or channel  110 . The insert  114  may be molded from a thermoplastic to match the geometry of the channel  110  and have a three-dimensional profile that enables the insert  114  to insulate the serpentine tab on at least three sides or surfaces of the serpentine tab (e.g., backside, right side, left side). 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a cross-section view of an assembled battery cell  100  having a feedthrough with the channel  110  to house the serpentine tab  116 , in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. The cap  102  is disposed over the cup  122  of the enclosure to seal the set of layers  124  therein. The channel  110  stows, stores or houses the serpentine tab  116  within a recess of the channel  110 . Disposed between the serpentine tab  116  and the cap  102  is an insert  114  that is configured to electrically isolate the serpentine tab  116  from the cap  102 . Extending through the cap  102  at an opening  104  is the pin  106 . The first end of the serpentine tab  116  is coupled to the pin  106 . The second end of the serpentine tab  116  is coupled to the tab  126  extending from the set of layers  124 . The insulator  108  electrically insulates the pin  106  from the cap  102 . Disposed between the set of layers  124  and the serpentine tab  116  is the insulating layer  130  that is configured to electrically insulate the set of layers  124  from the serpentine tab  116  and the cap  102 . In one aspect, the set of layers  124  may be electrically coupled to the cup  122  by a second tab  132  extending from the set of layers  124  such that the cup  122  itself acts as an external battery terminal. 
     As shown, the channel  110  of the feedthrough is configured to stow, store or house the serpentine tab  116  entirely therein without utilizing additional space within the enclosure or cup  122 , thereby improving packaging efficiency and increasing energy capacity of the battery cell by eliminating the need to allot space within the enclosure to accommodate the serpentine tab  116 . The serpentine tab  116  is thus nestled within the channel  110  when the cap  102  is disposed on the cup  122 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-section view of an assembled battery  400 , in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. The assembled battery  400  includes the battery cell  100 , an enclosure comprising the cup  122 , a feedthrough comprising the cap  102 , a battery management unit  410 , and battery terminals  420 . The battery management unit  410  is configured to manage recharging of the battery cell  100 . The terminals  420  are configured to engage with corresponding connectors on a portable electronic device to provide power to components of the portable electronic device. 
     The battery cell  100  includes a set of layers  124  comprising a cathode with an active coating  144 , a separator  142 , and an anode with an active coating  146 . For example, the cathode  144  may be an aluminum foil coated with a lithium compound (e.g., LiCoO 2 , LiNCoMn, LiCoAl or LiMn 2 O 4 ) and the anode  146  may be a copper foil coated with carbon or graphite. The separator  142  may include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and/or a combination of PE and PP, such as PE/PP or PP/PE/PP. The separator  142  comprises a micro-porous membrane that also provides a “thermal shut down” mechanism. If the battery cell reaches the melting point of these materials, the pores shut down which prevents ion flow through the membrane. 
     The set of layers  124  may be wound to form a jelly roll structure or can be stacked to form a stacked-cell structure. The set of layers  124  are enclosed within cup  122  and immersed in an electrolyte  430 , which for example, can be a LiPF6-based electrolyte that can include Ethylene Carbonate (EC), Polypropylene Carbonate (PC), Ethyl Methyl Carbonate (EMC) or DiMethyl Carbonate (DMC). The electrolyte can also include additives such as Vinyl carbonate (VC) or Polyethylene Soltone (PS). The electrolyte can additionally be in the form of a solution or a gel. 
     The anode layers  146  of the set of layers  124  may be coupled to the cup  122  or may be coupled to a feedthrough via a tab (not shown) extending from the anode layers  146 . The cathode layers  144  of the set of layers  124  may be coupled to the serpentine tab  116  via one or more tabs  126  extending from each cathode layer  144 . As described above, the serpentine tab  116  is housed within the channel (not shown) of the cap  102  to increase energy capacity of the battery cell  100  by eliminating the need to allot space within the enclosure to accommodate the serpentine tab  116   
       FIG.  5    illustrates a portable electronic device  500 , in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. The above-described rechargeable battery  400  can generally be used in any type of electronic device. For example,  FIG.  5    illustrates a portable electronic device  500  which includes a processor  502 , a memory  504  and a display  506 , which are all powered by the battery  400 . Portable electronic device  500  may correspond to a laptop computer, tablet computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), digital music player, watch, and wearable device, and/or other type of battery-powered electronic device. Battery  400  may correspond to a battery pack that includes one or more battery cells. Each battery cell may include a set of layers sealed in an enclosure, including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, an anode with an active coating, and utilize an electrical feedthrough that maximizes packaging efficiency through implementation of a feedthrough  101  (as shown in  FIG.  1   ) having the channel  110  to stow, store or house the serpentine tab  116 , as described above. 
       FIG.  6    illustrates an example method  600  for manufacturing a battery cell, in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. It should be understood that, for any process discussed herein, there can be additional, fewer, or alternative steps performed in similar or alternative orders, or in parallel, within the scope of the various embodiments unless otherwise stated. 
     At operation  610 , a channel is formed within a cap of a feedthrough of a battery cell. The channel comprises a recess on a surface of the cap to store a serpentine tab of the feedthrough. The channel may be formed through a stamping or forming operation that results in a material of the cap to be deformed to create the channel. The channel may comprise one or more curves and have a length that is longer than a length of the serpentine tab to enable the serpentine tab to be stored or nestled therein. In one example, the channel may extend circumferentially along a periphery of the cap. 
     The cap further comprises an opening that is configured to receive a pin. The pin is configured to form an external battery terminal to an anode or cathode of a set of layers and is made of an electrically conductive material, such as molybdenum. At operation  620 , an insulator is formed around the pin to electrically insulate the pin from the cap. The insulator may be bonded to a sidewall or periphery of the opening of the cap and to an outer surface of the pin. The insulator may be made of glass. 
     The serpentine tab may comprise an elongated electrically conductive material that has one or more curves that when stretched linearly, provides a sufficient working or service length to enable a welding, bonding, or coupling operation to be performed between the serpentine tab and the anode or cathode of the set of electrodes. In one aspect, the serpentine tab is configured to be straightened through manipulation by a user, and return to a curved or wound configuration at rest. In other words, the serpentine tab may have shape memory that enables the serpentine tab to be manipulated to lengthen its length along an axis, and when not manipulated, to return to a configuration having a shorter length along the same axis. For example, the serpentine tab may comprise a semi-circle shape having a first length along an axis that passes along a first and second end of the serpentine tab. The first and second ends of the serpentine tab may be moved apart thereby increasing a length between the first and second ends of the serpentine tab to a second length that is greater than the first length. Upon release of the first or second end of the serpentine tab, the serpentine tab returns to its initial shape and a length of the serpentine tab reduced to the first length. 
     In another aspect, the serpentine tab may have a three-dimensional shape. For example, the serpentine tab may comprise an offset to enable welding (e.g., laser welding, percussion welding, resistance welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.), bonding, or coupling to the pin where the pin extends beyond a thickness of the cap (as shown in  FIG.  3   ). In one aspect, the offset enables the serpentine tab to be welded to an end of the pin and thereafter, lay within the channel. At operation  630 , the first end of the serpentine tab is welded to the pin. A remaining portion of the serpentine tab is nestled entirely within the channel, as shown in  FIG.  2   , as the offset enables the first end of the serpentine tab to reach an end of the pin, without causing the remaining portion of the serpentine tab to be removed from the channel. 
     In one aspect, an insert that conforms to a shape of the channel may be bonded, adhered, or attached to the channel to insulate the serpentine tab from the cap to thereby prevent electrical contact between the serpentine tab and the cap. The insert may be manufactured through molding of thermoplastic or a non-conductive polymer or insulator. 
     In some aspects, the feedthrough (e.g., cap, pin, insulator, channel, serpentine tab, insert) is a subassembly that may be assembled separately from the other components of the battery cell. By decoupling the feedthrough assembly from the electrode or enclosure assembly, any debris or particles that may be formed during welding of the serpentine tab to the pin or forming of the insulator around the pin, do not impact the electrodes of the battery cell. 
     At operation  640 , the set of layers is inserted within a cup of an enclosure. The enclosure may comprise stainless steel or other material suitable for enclosing a battery cell as would be known by a person of ordinary skill. As discussed above, the set of layers comprise a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a separator layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer. In some aspects, an insulating layer may be disposed in between the set of layers and the serpentine tab to prevent electrical contact between the set of layers and the serpentine tab. 
     At operation  650 , the second end of the serpentine tab is welded (e.g., laser welding, percussion welding, resistance welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.), coupled, or bonded to a tab extending from the set of layers to thereby electrically couple the pin to the set of layers. In one aspect, because the serpentine tab has one or more curves, a length of the serpentine tab may be lengthened when manipulated to enable welding, coupling or bonding to the tab extending from the set of layers. In other aspects, because the serpentine tab has shape memory, upon completion of the welding operation, the serpentine tab automatically returns to its initial shape having a reduced length and lays within the channel thereby maximizing available space within the cup of the enclosure for the set of layers, without requiring complicated bending or manipulation of the serpentine tab after welding. 
     At operation  660 , the feedthrough is disposed onto the cup to enclose the set of layers. The cap of the feedthrough may be welded, bonded, or coupled to the cup of the enclosure to seal the set of layers within the enclosure. At operation  670 , the serpentine tab nestles within the channel of the cap to minimize use of space within the enclosure. Because the serpentine tab is configured to automatically lay flat against the channel when the feedthrough is disposed on the enclosure, the serpentine tab is entirely stowed, stored, and housed within the channel without occupying space within the enclosure and without requiring management of a cumbersome service loop that must be folded several times in order to tuck the tab neatly within the enclosure. 
     The enclosure may be filled with electrolyte after the set of layers are sealed within the enclosure through a fill hole. A plug may be thereafter welded, bonded, or coupled to the cap to plug the fill hole. 
     Although a variety of examples and other information was used to explain aspects within the scope of the appended claims, no limitation of the claims should be implied based on particular features or arrangements in such examples, as one of ordinary skill would be able to use these examples to derive a wide variety of implementations. Further and although some subject matter may have been described in language specific to examples of structural features and/or method steps, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to these described features or acts. For example, such functionality can be distributed differently or performed in components other than those identified herein. Rather, the described features and steps are disclosed as examples of components of systems and methods within the scope of the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200514
Publication Date: 20250107
Grant Date: 20250107
Priority Date: 20190620
Inventors: TSE, KYLE
SHIWALKAR, ABHISHEK P.
Fink, Shawn G.
PASMA, CHRISTOPHER R.
OBA, HIROTSUGU
SHIU, BRIAN K.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01M50/533", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/191", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/531", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/533", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/531", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y02E60/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/566", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/562", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/586", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/474", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/528", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/559", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/181", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/153", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/186", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/109", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/533", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/531", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/191", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01M50/186", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 74039394