Patent Grant
8371022
1. Field
The present disclosure is directed to a method for assembling a portable device configured with an energy storage device.
2. Introduction
Currently on most electronic products and accessories with embedded batteries, there is a parasitic load applied by the device circuitry. This is a very small current that the circuitry consumes while the product's on-off switch is in the “off” mode. To minimize the risk of an energy storage device such as a battery being “unchargeable” or causing a “dead” product, after a certain period of time (such as a few hundred days), the parasitic load needs to be removed.
The idea of using a “thin material to prevent a battery connection until the product is first used by a consumer” is not new. Typically this is done by placing part of a removable label between a battery and a spring terminal inside a product. This is often done in smoke detectors.
What is needed is a method to assemble a portable device with an energy storage device that provides a multi-mode switch that provides a temporarily closed position for testing and temporarily open for shipping, based on a position of a pull tab, and a permanently closed position when the pull tab is removed. In more detail, the pull tab needs to extend outside the product's housing, so that a user can pull the tab completely out to close the switch when the product is first used. What is needed is a via in the pull tab to allow a manufacturer or assembler to test completed or sealed units in the factory before shipping. Next. the manufacturer can adjust the pull tab forward to “open” the switch circuit prior to shipping to the customer. The open position prevents battery connection until the product is first used by the consumer.
What is needed is a method of assembling a portable device with energy storage device that allows for testing, calibrating and loading for example before shipment to a customer and minimizes the possibility of embedded-battery products reaching consumers in an “unchargeable” or “permanently dead” state, if left on a shelf or in a warehouse for a certain amount of time.
Thus, there is a need for a method for prolonging the useful shelf life of an energy storage device in a portable device.
In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring to
In more detail, the portable device can be a wireless communication device adapted for use in a network, such as personal area network. For example, the device can be a Bluetooth headset or visor clip on, which is wirelessly connected to a cell phone via a personal area network, such as a Bluetooth connection. In this type of application, a user can operate a headset, speaker system or car kit, as shown in
As illustrated in
In more detail, when the pull tab 540 is in the first position 550 corresponding to the temporary active mode in the adjusting step, the method 100 can further include: aligning the via 545 with a portion of the top and the bottom conductive contacts 525 and 530, respectively; and allowing current to flow between the top and the bottom conductive contacts 510 and 515 through the via 545, defining a temporary closed switch position.
In yet more detail, in a preferred embodiment, a substantially downwardly pointing indent 580 is shown in
In still more detail, the multi-mode switch 500 can be constructed to include: providing the pull tab 540 with two vias 545 and 565, configured to allow at least two temporary active modes; aligning at least one of the vias 545 or 565 with a portion of the top and the bottom conductive contacts 525 and 530; and allowing current to flow between the top and the bottom conductive contacts 510 and 515 through the aligned at least one via 545, defining a temporary closed switch position.
When in the temporary closed switch position, as illustrated in
When the pull tab is in the second position 555 corresponding to the temporary inactive mode, relative to the adjusting step, the via 545 is misaligned (not in alignment) with a portion of the top and the bottom conductive contacts 525 and 530, as shown in
Shown in
The multi-mode switch 500 in
In the event that additional tests, audits, inspections, software upgrade or patch, etc. are required at a distribution center, a second via 565, as shown in
Once completed, the pull tab is pulled, as shown in
As shown in
In a preferred embodiment, the portable device is configured to operate in a substantially hands free environment. For example, the portable device is a wireless communication device with memory and a transceiver for use in a personal area network, and is particularly adapted for use in a head set, speaker system or car kit, as shown in the figures. Further, the portable device includes a substantially sealed housing to a user, with a substantially permanently embedded energy storage device, for minimizing size, weight, cost, and foot print, for many applications.
The energy storage device can include at least one of a battery, a fuel cell, a fuel container and an electrochemical capacitor. In a preferred embodiment, the energy storage device includes a lithium ion battery.
Advantageously, the wireless communication device 200 can provides a simple, portable, compact and robust power savings feature that can actuate a display when properly orientated for viewing by a user, and not actuate the display when not suitably oriented.
Advantageously, this can provide a user with a number of options when suitably oriented.
In one arrangement, the providing step 402 can include providing the wearable device in a personal area network headset, such as a Bluetooth headset, which step can be particularly useful in two radio and mobile phone applications, for example. While this disclosure has been described with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added, or substituted in the other embodiments. Also, all of the elements of each figure are not necessary for operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodiments would be enabled to make and use the teachings of the disclosure by simply employing the elements of the independent claims. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the disclosure as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In this document, relational terms such as “first,” “second,” and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a,” “an,” or the like does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. Also, the term “another” is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including,” “having,” and the like, as used herein, are defined as “comprising.”
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20100126833 A1 | May 2010 | US |
