Battery Case Rail Structure to Prevent Reverse Terminal Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incorrect insertion of batteries in electronic price indicators can lead to safety incidents such as fire due to overheating or damage, as same terminals of batteries may contact each other.
Innovation Solution
A battery case design with a first and second battery accommodating portion, a rail, and a movable structure that prevents contact between same terminals of batteries, allowing only serial connection of batteries in the correct orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If batteries are accommodated in a battery case without prevention structures, then ease of operation is improved (user can insert batteries freely), but safety is worsened (same terminals may contact causing fire or damage)
Solution Approach 1:
A movable structure acts as an intermediary element between the first and second batteries. This structure includes a prevention portion that physically blocks contact between same terminals (positive-positive or negative-negative) while allowing correct serial connection. The movable structure slides along a rail to accommodate battery insertion while maintaining safety function.
Solution Approach 2:
The prevention structure is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to slide along a rail in response to battery insertion. This dynamic behavior enables the structure to automatically adjust its position to prevent terminal contact while still permitting proper battery assembly and disassembly operations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable prevention structure is added to the battery case, then safety is improved (terminal contact prevented), but device complexity is worsened (additional rail and movable components)
Solution Approach 1:
The battery case is segmented into distinct functional components: fixed battery accommodating portions, a movable prevention structure, and a guiding rail. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall design and manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable prevention structure automatically performs its safety function through passive mechanical interaction. When batteries are inserted correctly, the structure is pushed along the rail to a position where it naturally blocks terminal contact without requiring active control systems, sensors, or additional power sources.
3Device complexity
If the prevention structure is fixed in position, then device complexity is reduced (simpler structure), but ease of operation is worsened (interferes with battery insertion and serial connection)
Solution Approach 1:
The prevention structure transitions from a static to a dynamic design, moving along a rail when batteries are inserted. This dynamic capability allows the structure to temporarily yield during insertion operations and then automatically return to its prevention position, maintaining both operational ease and safety function.
Data Source
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.