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Apple Patent Details Flexible Battery Shape for Future Devices
An Apple patent application published yesterday (via Patently Apple) by the United States Patent and Trademark office details the creation of a flexible battery shape, suggesting that the company is exploring solutions for future products that may take on a unique shape, such as the rumored iWatch.
The patent, which was filed in December of 2011, covers a flexible battery pack that consists of several different cells connected through a laminate layer, designed to "allow the battery to be shaped to fit a form factor of the electronic device."
According to Apple, its flexible battery solution could be used in a number of devices, including "wristwatches, calculators, laptop computers, tablet computers, and/or music players."
A patent application published in March and a job listing in April suggested that Apple was researching iPhones constructed with flexible wraparound displays, and such designs would likely incorporate the flexible battery detailed in yesterday's patent.
Apple's much rumored "iWatch" could also take advantage of a flexible battery, as a February patent revealed that the company was experimenting with a potential wraparound touch-sensitive display.
In recent weeks, Apple has filed for a number of trademarks on the iWatch name around the world. According to rumors, Apple has 100 product designers working on the watch, which is likely to launch in 2014.
The patent, which was filed in December of 2011, covers a flexible battery pack that consists of several different cells connected through a laminate layer, designed to "allow the battery to be shaped to fit a form factor of the electronic device."
Electronic devices are ubiquitous in society and can be found in everything from portable cell phones to wristwatches. Many of these electronic devices require some type of portable power source. Many of these electronic devices also have unique form factors. Because of this, the portable power source of any one electronic device may not fit within any other electronic device.Apple's patent also suggests that a flexible battery pack could have certain cells removed to incorporate thermoelectric coolers, flashes, or a camera, allowing the battery to fit more snugly into a small space. The company points out that an isolated flexible cell arrangement increases device reliability as well, preventing multiple connected cells from failing at once due to environmental factors like moisture or dust.
Furthermore, these unique form factors often require flexible battery arrangements, whereas conventional battery packs are often too rigid to flexibly conform to these form factors. For example, lithium-ion batteries, such as lithium polymer battery cells, are quite rigid and bending them repeatedly may cause damage to the battery cells and battery failure. As a result of attempting to accommodate inflexible battery packs, the packaging of portable electronic devices may not be optimally sized.
According to Apple, its flexible battery solution could be used in a number of devices, including "wristwatches, calculators, laptop computers, tablet computers, and/or music players."
A patent application published in March and a job listing in April suggested that Apple was researching iPhones constructed with flexible wraparound displays, and such designs would likely incorporate the flexible battery detailed in yesterday's patent.
Apple's much rumored "iWatch" could also take advantage of a flexible battery, as a February patent revealed that the company was experimenting with a potential wraparound touch-sensitive display.
In recent weeks, Apple has filed for a number of trademarks on the iWatch name around the world. According to rumors, Apple has 100 product designers working on the watch, which is likely to launch in 2014.
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73 months ago
Will these batteries also bulge and explode? :p
Apple iPhone 5 reportedly explodes during phone call in Thailand (http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/apple-iphone-5-reportedly-explodes-during-phone-call-in-thailand-344004)
MacBook Air battery exploding/expanding (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3681221?start=15&tstart=0)
Apple hasn't had the best track record with batteries, although many of them were manufactured by the same company for other retailers.
Chemistry.
All LiPo batteries have the same slight fire/swelling risk. Can't tell you how many Android, Windows, and iOS devices I've seen with swollen batteries working for the geeksquad the past few years.
73 months ago
Chemistry.
All LiPo batteries have the same slight fire/swelling risk. Can't tell you how many Android, Windows, and iOS devices I've seen with swollen batteries working for the geeksquad the past few years.
Oh, I know, I was just being facetious and teasing. It happens to all batteries cross tech, Apple just gets the brunt of it cause, well, Apple is "evil" ;)
73 months ago
Will these batteries also bulge and explode? :p
Apple iPhone 5 reportedly explodes during phone call in Thailand (http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/apple-iphone-5-reportedly-explodes-during-phone-call-in-thailand-344004)
MacBook Air battery exploding/expanding (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3681221?start=15&tstart=0)
Apple hasn't had the best track record with batteries, although many of them were manufactured by the same company for other retailers.
This is a facetious and teasing post, as this happens to all tech :)
Apple iPhone 5 reportedly explodes during phone call in Thailand (http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/apple-iphone-5-reportedly-explodes-during-phone-call-in-thailand-344004)
MacBook Air battery exploding/expanding (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3681221?start=15&tstart=0)
Apple hasn't had the best track record with batteries, although many of them were manufactured by the same company for other retailers.
This is a facetious and teasing post, as this happens to all tech :)
73 months ago
If this is for the rumored iWatch, you can bet that the batteries will be integrated into the watches wrist straps.
73 months ago
Bendable battery.....
Hmmmmm...............
That sounds like a great idea and in no way could I see this thing malfunctioning and burning a person's wrist :rolleyes:
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You 2 must be kidding right ?
Maybe you're meant to besties forever
Hmmmmm...............
That sounds like a great idea and in no way could I see this thing malfunctioning and burning a person's wrist :rolleyes:
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You see this and think wow how simple ... how is this not an existing patent. Apple you patent geniuses!
The most elusive ideas are often hiding in plain sight. It just takes someone with clear vision to see it. That's been the case throughout history. Think about how many inventions made you say "of course, why didn't anyone else think of that."
You 2 must be kidding right ?
Maybe you're meant to besties forever
73 months ago
Yeah, I can just see all those Phablet freaks wanting to swap their 5"+ screens for a dinky 1" square thing.
The jury is out for me personally, I am yet to see how an iWatch will improve my life.
The jury is out for me personally, I am yet to see how an iWatch will improve my life.
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