More than two terminals on cell phone battery

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    Battery Cell
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the presence of multiple terminals on cell phone batteries, exploring the reasons behind this design choice. Participants consider various functions these additional terminals may serve, including temperature monitoring and compatibility with different charging systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Jackson notes that most batteries typically have two terminals, questioning the purpose of additional terminals on cell phone batteries.
  • One participant suggests that a temperature sensor might be present, indicating that one terminal could be marked 'T' for this purpose, allowing for current adjustment based on temperature.
  • Another participant describes their cordless phone battery, which has three terminals where the outer terminals are common, allowing for flexible placement in the charging cradle.
  • A different viewpoint proposes that multiple terminals could facilitate connections to individual cells for better monitoring and charging, although uncertainty remains about the prevalence of this feature in cell phone batteries.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various hypotheses regarding the functions of additional terminals, with no consensus reached on a single explanation. Multiple competing views remain regarding the reasons for the extra terminals.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about battery design and functionality are not fully explored, and the discussion does not resolve the specific applications or commonality of the proposed features.

jackson6612
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Most batteries have only two terminals with symbols ''+'' and ''-''. I uderstand the function of two terminals. But almost all the cell phone batteries I have seen have more than two terminals. What is the reason for having more than two terminals? Please check this link:
http://www.batteries.com/images/256x256/17753.jpg

Best wishes,
Jackson
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Usually a temperature sensor ( check if one terminal is marked 'T' )
one way of charging these batteries is to just supply current and monitor the internal temperature rise - then back off the current to keep it in control.
 
My cordless phone has 3 terminals. The two outer terminals are common to each other. This way I can place the hanset on the cradle either face-up or face down.

Your 4 terminals might be so it can accept different chargers/phones. Or perhaps a discharge pair and a charge pair. I'm only guessing.
 
Some batteries also allow connections to each individual cell (or some subset of them) to allow for more careful monitoring and charging. I don't know if this is common for cell phone batteries, though.
 

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