TE Connectivity Introduces Thermal Protection for Lithium Polymer Battery Cells in Ultra-Thin Portable Electronics
Designers are increasingly turning to high-capacity, envelope-like LiP (Lithium Polymer) cells to optimize space in media tablets, ultra-thin PCs, electronic readers and other small, slim consumer electronics. At the same time, battery manufacturers have been challenged to find ultra-compact overtemperature protection devices that can meet the higher currents typically found in these applications. In response, TE Circuit Protection, a business unit of TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE: TEL), introduces the MHP-TA series of ultra-low-profile (L: 5.8mm x W: 3.75mm x H: 1.15mm) resettable thermal cut-off (TCO) devices for lithium battery protection. The MHP-TA series of devices features a 9Vdc rating, two product categories with different levels of current-carrying capacity, and multiple cut-off temperature ratings.
The MHP-TA series is an extension of TE Circuit Protection's innovative MHP (Metal Hybrid PPTC) technology, which connects a bimetal protector in parallel with a PPTC (polymeric positive temperature coefficient) device. The initial MHP product offerings, the MHP30-36 and MHP-SA series, targeted higher-current (above 30Vdc, 30A) Li-ion battery pack applications used in portable power tools and energy storage systems.
The new MHP-TA series is intended for applications with lower voltage and current ratings. As a result, TE Circuit Protection was able to downsize the MHP product to offer an ultra-compact device that meets the space requirements of the growing LiP market. In battery cell designs, the MHP-TA series helps provide resettable overtemperature protection, while utilizing the PPTC to act as a heater and to keep the bimetal latched until the fault is removed.
"To keep pace with the ongoing trend toward miniaturization in consumer electronics, battery designers are increasingly using LiP cells in the thinnest products hitting the market," said Ty Bowman, Strategic Marketing Manager for TE Circuit protection. "But at the same time, these designers have been faced with limited options for providing overtemperature protection in high-capacity lithium polymer cell designs. With the introduction of the MHP-TA series they now have an ultra-compact, resettable, and high-performance alternative."
The MHP-TA series comprises nine devices with two levels of current carrying capacity: low-current MHP-TA6-9 products with an approximately 6A hold current @25°C, and high-current MHP-TA15-9 products providing a hold current of approximately 15A. The low-current MHP-TA6-9 devices are available in four different current ratings (72°C, 77°C, 82°C, 85°C) and the high-current MHP-TA15 devices in five ratings (72°C, 77°C, 82°C, 85°C, 90°C).
