Flexible battery pack

Abstract

Flexible battery packs for use in electronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible battery pack may include a plurality of cells, such as galvanic or photovoltaic cells. The battery pack also may include a plurality of laminate layers coupled to the cells that include a top laminate layer and a bottom laminate layer. An adhesive may be used to couple the top and bottom laminate layers together such that each of the plurality of cells is isolated from each other. This arrangement may allow the battery to be shaped to fit a form factor of the electronic device. This arrangement also may allow one or more of the cells to be selectively removed from the plurality, which may be desirable from a manufacturing perspective.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A flexible battery pack comprising:
 a plurality of cells;   a conductive layer electrically connecting adjacent cells of the plurality of cells;   a top layer; and   a bottom layer coupled to the top layer to enclose each cell of the plurality of cells between the top and bottom layers, wherein:
 the top and bottom layers form a compliant region between at least two adjacent cells; and 
 the conductive layer is positioned between the top layer and the bottom layer within the compliant region. 
   
     
     
         22 . The flexible battery pack of  claim 21 , wherein the compliant region forms a hinge between the at least two adjacent cells. 
     
     
         23 . The flexible battery pack of  claim 22 , wherein the hinge is configured to bend along a single bend axis. 
     
     
         24 . The flexible battery pack of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the plurality of cells are arranged in a two-dimensional array;   the compliant region is a vertical compliant region formed between two cells in a row of cells;   a horizontal compliant region is formed between two cells in a column of cells; and   both the vertical and horizontal compliant regions are folded resulting in the plurality of cells forming a non-planar arrangement.   
     
     
         25 . The flexible battery pack of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the compliant region is a first compliant region between a first pair of adjacent cells;   a second compliant region is formed between a second pair of adjacent cells; and   the first and second compliant regions are not parallel.   
     
     
         26 . The flexible battery pack of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the plurality of cells comprise first and second cells;   the top and bottom layers form first and second enclosures about the first and second cells; and   the first and second enclosures are not of the same size.   
     
     
         27 . The flexible battery pack of  claim 21 , wherein the top and bottom layers are sealed around each of the plurality of cells. 
     
     
         28 . The flexible battery pack of  claim 21 , wherein the top and bottom layers each include one or more laminated layers of plastic and metal. 
     
     
         29 . The flexible battery pack of  claim 28 , wherein:
 the laminated layers include a base layer selected from the group consisting of steel and aluminum; and   the base layer is coated with a polymer coating.   
     
     
         30 . The flexible battery pack of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the top and bottom layers form a seal around each of the plurality of cells; and   the seals are not parallel.   
     
     
         31 . The flexible battery pack of  claim 21 , wherein the compliant region is folded to provide non-planar arrangement of the plurality of cells. 
     
     
         32 . The flexible battery pack of  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of cells form an interdigitated structure. 
     
     
         33 . A battery pack comprising:
 a plurality of cells;   a top and a bottom laminate layer enclosing the plurality of cells to define a group of enclosures and to define a hinge point between adjacent cells; and   an electrical connection electrically coupling adjacent cells of the plurality of cells and positioned between the top and bottom laminate layer within the hinge point.   
     
     
         34 . The battery pack of  claim 33 , wherein an electronic component is positioned in one of the group of enclosures. 
     
     
         35 . The battery pack of  claim 33 , wherein the hinge point is foldable and the plurality of cells are arranged in a stacked array. 
     
     
         36 . The battery pack of  claim 31 , wherein the hinge points are foldable in two dimensions. 
     
     
         37 . The battery pack of  claim 33 , wherein each cell of the plurality of cells is positioned in a separate enclosure. 
     
     
         38 . The battery pack of  claim 33 , wherein a void is formed in the top and/or the bottom laminate layer. 
     
     
         39 . The flexible battery pack of  claim 38 , wherein a thermoelectric cooler is positioned within the void. 
     
     
         40 . A battery pack comprising:
 an array of battery cells;   a flexible top laminate layer and a flexible bottom laminate layer enclosing each cell of the array of cells; and   a conductive material electrically connected to at least two adjacent cells within the array, wherein:
 the conductive material is positioned between the flexible top laminate layer and the flexible bottom laminate layer in a region between the adjacent cells; and 
 the region between the adjacent cells is bendable. 
   
     
     
         41 . The battery pack of  claim 40 , wherein each of the battery cells includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal with each positive terminal connected to a positive terminal in an adjacent cell and each negative terminal connected to a negative terminal in an adjacent cell. 
     
     
         42 . The battery pack of  claim 40 , wherein at least one of the battery cells of the array includes an interconnection for connecting an additional battery cell to the array of battery cells.