Battery Charge Status Indicator for Interchangeable Mobile Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile electric appliances and batteries face issues with precise alignment requirements for charge status indicators, leading to potential malfunctions and limited interchangeability of batteries, as the design must be coordinated with the device, restricting universal usability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a device-side charge status indicator and a battery-side electronic circuit that allows independent display of battery charge status, enabling the charge status to be displayed both on the battery and the device, with optional illuminating or mechanical indicators, and using interfaces like electrical, optical, or radio interfaces for data transmission, allowing for easy integration with existing batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a battery-side charge status indicator and switch are provided, then the charge status can be displayed independently on the battery, but precise alignment with the device is required which limits interchangeability
Solution Approach 1:
The charge status display function is segmented into two independent parts: a battery-side indicator that displays charge status independently, and a device-side indicator that provides additional display capability. This segmentation allows the battery to display charge status without requiring precise alignment with any specific device, thereby improving interchangeability while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
An electronic circuit in the battery serves as an intermediary that detects charge status and controls the battery-side indicator. This intermediary system enables independent charge status display on the battery without requiring mechanical alignment or coordination with the device, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
2Loss of information
If a viewing window and knob are provided for charge status display, then the charge status can be queried, but incorrect alignment leads to malfunction and the design must be precisely coordinated with the device
Solution Approach 1:
The charge status information system is divided into independent battery-side and device-side components. The battery-side electronic circuit and indicator provide reliable charge status information independently, eliminating the reliability issues caused by misalignment of viewing windows and knobs with specific devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery-side charge status indicator is designed with universal functionality that works with any device in the system without requiring precise coordination. The electronic circuit detects charge status and activates the indicator independently, making the charge status querying function reliable across different device-battery combinations.
3Manufacturing precision
If the battery design is precisely coordinated with the device design, then the charge status indicator and switch can be properly aligned, but the batteries are not universally usable
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment requirement is segmented and resolved by providing both battery-side and device-side indicators. The battery-side indicator eliminates the need for precise mechanical coordination between battery and device designs, while the device-side indicator maintains manufacturing precision requirements only where necessary for electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge status display is moved from a purely mechanical alignment dimension to an independent functional dimension. The battery-side electronic circuit and indicator provide charge status display in an independent dimension that does not require precise spatial coordination with the device, enabling universal battery usage while maintaining adequate manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile electric appliance is disclosed. The mobile electric appliance includes at least one battery bay for accommodating a battery with at least one voltage-generating cell and a battery-side charge status indicator, an electrical consumer, a power connector, as well as a charging device for charging the at least one battery. In addition, the mobile electric appliance includes means for detecting the charge status of the at least one battery and a device-side charge status indicator arranged on the mobile electric appliance. The battery may also include an interface, which is prepared to relay the charge status determined to an external processing unit.