Battery Pack System

Abstract

An improved battery pack and system including such battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack includes a power control module positioned to allow for increased battery power or reduced battery pack size.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A battery pack, comprising:
 a housing including an upper surface and a lower surface;   a battery portion adjacent said upper surface;   an electrode portion connected to said battery portion, said electrode portion extending adjacent said lower surface; and   a power control module adjacent said lower surface.   
     
     
         2 . The battery pack of  claim 1  wherein said battery portion is a lithium-ion battery. 
     
     
         3 . The battery pack of  claim 1  wherein said battery portion and said electrode portion define a first length of said battery pack. 
     
     
         4 . The battery pack of  claim 3  wherein said power control module is included within said first length. 
     
     
         5 . The battery pack of  claim 3  wherein said battery portion has a battery power level. 
     
     
         6 . The battery pack of  claim 5  wherein said battery power level remains the same and the battery portion and the electrode portion define a second length which is less than the first length. 
     
     
         7 . The battery pack of  claim 3  wherein said first length is less than a third length defined by said power control module mounted adjacent said upper surface. 
     
     
         8 . The battery pack of  claim 7  wherein said battery portion and said electrode portion define said first length and said battery portion includes a battery power level more than said battery power level of said battery portion in said third length and wherein said first length and said third length are approximately equal. 
     
     
         9 . An electronic device comprising:
 a main logic board;   a battery pack electromagnetically connected to said main logic board, said battery pack including:
 a housing having an upper and a lower surface; 
 a power source contained adjacent said upper surface; and 
 a power control module adjacent to said lower surface. 
   
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein said electronic device includes a laptop computer. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein said electronic device includes a portable media player. 
     
     
         12 . The battery pack of  claim 9  wherein said power source is a lithium-ion battery. 
     
     
         13 . The battery pack of  claim 9  wherein said power source and an electrode portion define a first length of said battery pack. 
     
     
         14 . The battery pack of  claim 13  wherein said power control module is included within said first length. 
     
     
         15 . The battery pack of  claim 13  wherein said power source has a battery power level. 
     
     
         16 . The battery pack of  claim 15  wherein said battery power level remains the same and the power source and the electrode portion define a second length which is less than the first length. 
     
     
         17 . The battery pack of  claim 13  wherein said first length is less than a third length defined by said power control module mounted adjacent said upper surface. 
     
     
         18 . The battery pack of  claim 17  wherein said power source and said electrode portion define said first length and said power source includes a battery power level more than said battery power level of said power source in said third length and wherein said first length and said third length are approximately equal. 
     
     
         19 . A method for making a battery pack comprising the steps of:
 providing a housing having an upper and a lower surface;   containing a power source adjacent said upper surface;   connecting an electrode to said power source; and   providing a power control module adjacent to said lower surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said power source includes a lithium-ion battery.