Battery Adapter for Multi-Port Electric Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric machines with multiple battery-connecting ports are not easily operable with a smaller number of batteries than the number of ports, limiting their usability, as they are designed to work with batteries of specific voltages, such as 36 volts, which are expensive and less available, while 18-volt batteries are more common but not compatible with two-port systems.
Innovation Solution
A battery adapter with multiple machine-side-connecting sections that can connect to multiple battery ports and a single battery-side-connecting section, allowing the adapter to drive electric machines with a voltage matching the motor's rated voltage, using either a single higher voltage battery or multiple lower voltage batteries in series or parallel configurations, through step-up or step-down circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an electric machine is designed with multiple battery-connecting ports for high voltage operation, then the power output is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot use commonly available lower voltage batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a battery adapter as an intermediary device between the battery and the electric machine. The adapter includes converting sections that transform the electrical connection interface, allowing a single battery to be connected to multiple machine-side-connecting sections. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling high-power machines to accept lower-voltage batteries through voltage conversion or series/parallel configuration changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (voltage, current configuration) through the adapter's converting sections. By reconfiguring the electrical connection topology - either converting voltage levels or changing series/parallel arrangements - the adapter allows the same machine to operate with different battery configurations, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining power output capability.
2Power
If an electric machine uses batteries with voltage matching the motor's rated voltage, then the power output is optimized, but the adaptability deteriorates because the machine cannot accept batteries of different voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The battery adapter provides multi-functionality by supporting multiple battery connection configurations. The machine-side-connecting sections can be configured in different electrical arrangements (series, parallel, or combinations), allowing the adapter to work with batteries of various voltages and capacities. This universal design enables a single adapter to serve multiple functions across different battery types while maintaining optimal power delivery to the motor.
3Reliability
If multiple battery-connecting ports are provided in an electric machine, then the reliability of power supply is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple battery connection functions into a single adapter unit. Instead of requiring separate connection ports and complex internal wiring for multiple batteries, the adapter consolidates these functions by providing machine-side-connecting sections that internally manage the electrical connections. This combining approach maintains reliable power supply through multiple connection points while reducing the overall device complexity by centralizing the connection management in one component.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the operation of electric machines with multiple battery ports using fewer batteries, improving usability by allowing single battery operation for 36-volt machines with 18-volt batteries and vice versa, enhancing compatibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a step-up section configured to increase the battery voltage to the rated voltage of the motor of the electric machine
Implementation Method 2
a step-down section configured to reduce the battery voltage to the rated voltage of the motor of the electric machine
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A battery adapter (20; 40; 50) can include a plurality of machine-side-connecting sections (22c, 22d) capable of being connected to a plurality of battery-connecting ports (127c, 127d) provided on an electric machine (12), and a battery-side-connecting section(s) (23) to which a battery or batteries (30; 60) can be connected. The number of the machine-side-connecting sections (22c, 22d) is preferably configured to be larger than the number of the battery-side-connecting section(s) (23). Further, the electric machine (12) is preferably connected to the machine-side-connecting sections (22c, 22d) of the battery adapter (20; 40; 50) through its battery-connecting ports (127c, 127d). The electric machine (12) can be driven by the battery or batteries (30; 60) connected to the battery-side-connecting section(s) (23) of the battery adapter (20; 40; 50).