Portable Battery Charger With Buffer Mechanism For Impact Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Battery chargers for heavy portable batteries in electric vehicles face challenges in minimizing the load on terminal portions during battery fitting, which can lead to impact and damage.

Innovation Solution

A charger design featuring a movable stage with a buffer mechanism and guide mechanisms that slow down the battery's fitting speed and distribute the load evenly, ensuring the terminal portion is protected from impact and stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the battery is directly fitted to the terminal portion without a buffer mechanism, then the fitting process is simple and quick, but the heavy battery causes impact and excessive load on the terminal portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting speedVSAvoidimpact on terminal portion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer mechanism is pre-installed on the stage to cushion the battery before it reaches the terminal portion. The buffer member is positioned to contact the battery during fitting, absorbing impact energy and reducing the load on the terminal portion while maintaining a relatively simple fitting process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Device complexity

If the terminal portion is positioned directly below the stage, then the structure is compact, but the heavy battery creates excessive load and potential damage during fitting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidterminal portion durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer mechanism serves as an intermediary element between the battery and the terminal portion. It is installed on the stage and contacts the battery during fitting, mediating the force transmission and protecting the terminal portion from direct impact while maintaining the compact vertical arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the battery is placed on a fixed stage, then the structure is simple, but the battery cannot be properly guided or positioned during fitting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestage structure simplicityVSAvoidbattery positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stage is designed to move vertically in response to battery placement. When the battery is placed on the stage, the stage moves downward together with the battery, allowing the buffer mechanism to engage and the battery to be properly guided into the terminal portion, improving positioning accuracy while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The charger effectively reduces the load on the terminal portion during battery fitting, preventing impact and enhancing durability while ensuring smooth and balanced fitting, even when the battery is inserted at incorrect angles.

Implementation Method 1

a buffer mechanism (10) that suppresses a fitting speed of the battery (45) to the terminal portion (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3829022A1Charger for portable battery
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3829022A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3829022A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3829022A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A charger for a portable battery includes a stage (8) on which a portable battery (45) used in an electric vehicle can be placed, and a terminal portion (9) that is provided at a position on a side opposite to a position on a side on which the battery (45) is to be placed with respect to the stage (8) in a state in which the battery (45) is not placed on the stage (8). The stage (8) moves together with the battery (45) to fit the battery (45) to the terminal portion (9) when the battery (45) is placed on the stage (8). The charger further includes a buffer mechanism (10) that suppresses a fitting speed of the battery (45) to the terminal portion (9) when the battery (45) is placed on the stage (8).