Battery Case Rail Structure to Prevent Reverse Battery Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic price indicators using serially connected AA or AAA batteries are prone to safety incidents such as fire due to incorrect battery insertion, where same terminals contact each other, leading to overheating or damage.
Innovation Solution
A battery case design with a rail and movable structure that prevents contact between same terminals of batteries by sliding along the rail and using a rib structure to correct incorrect insertion, ensuring proper terminal alignment and preventing contact between same terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batteries are serially connected to power the display, then the electronic price indicator can operate, but safety incidents may occur due to incorrect battery insertion causing same terminals to contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design in the battery accommodating portions through ribs that protrude into the battery insertion space. These ribs create directional guidance that allows batteries to be inserted only in the correct orientation, preventing same-terminal contact. The asymmetric rib structure physically blocks incorrect insertion while maintaining ease of operation for correct insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail structure acts as an intermediary element between the first and second battery accommodating portions. The movable structure sliding along the rail serves as a mediator that physically prevents same-terminal contact by positioning itself between the terminals when batteries are incorrectly inserted, while allowing proper terminal contact when batteries are correctly inserted.
2Reliability
If a fixed structure is used to prevent same terminal contact, then safety is improved, but the structure may interfere with correct battery insertion or not adapt to different battery sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable structure that slides along the rail rather than a fixed structure. This dynamic element can adjust its position based on battery insertion status - it moves to block same-terminal contact when batteries are incorrectly inserted, and moves away to allow proper terminal contact when batteries are correctly inserted. This dynamic behavior provides both safety and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery case is segmented into distinct functional zones: first and second battery accommodating portions, a rail system, and a movable prevention structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the accommodating portions hold batteries, the rail guides movement, and the movable structure provides adaptive safety prevention without interfering with correct operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery case includes: a first battery accommodating portion accommodating at least one first battery; a second battery accommodating portion arranged apart from the first battery accommodating portion and accommodating at least one second battery serially connected with the at least one first battery; a rail arranged between the first battery accommodating portion and the second battery accommodating portion; and a structure configured to move along the rail between the first battery accommodating portion and the second battery accommodating portion and prevent contact between same terminals of the at least one first battery and the at least one second battery at a point at which the at least one first battery and the at least one second battery touch each other.