Battery Charger Locking Mechanism for Secure Pack Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery chargers lack a secure mechanism to prevent accidental removal or unauthorized use of battery packs, especially those with high power capacity requiring secure charging solutions.
Innovation Solution
The charger incorporates a locking mechanism with a retractable member that extends into the charging bay transverse to the battery path, overlapping with the latch to prevent removal, and a user interface that allows for locking and unlocking positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retractable member is extended into the charging bay to overlap with the latch, then the battery pack is secured and prevented from accidental removal, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable member is nested within the charger body and can be extended or retracted as needed. When extended, it overlaps with the latch to prevent battery pack removal. This nesting approach allows the locking mechanism to maintain a compact form while providing security when required, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism employs a dynamic retractable member that can transition between extended and retracted states. This dynamic capability allows the system to provide security (when extended) while maintaining operational flexibility and avoiding permanent complexity (when retracted), thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If a lock member is extended to obstruct access to the latch, then unauthorized use is prevented, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary locking action automatically when the battery pack is inserted and recognized as authorized. The retractable member extends to secure the battery pack without requiring manual intervention from the user, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving reliable security against unauthorized use.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism operates autonomously based on system recognition of the battery pack. Once the battery pack is inserted, the system automatically engages or disengages the retractable member without requiring user action, thereby preventing unauthorized use while maintaining ease of operation for authorized users.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a locking mechanism is added to secure high-power battery packs, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is nested within the existing charger structure, utilizing the retractable member that can be integrated into the charging bay. This approach provides safety functionality without requiring a completely separate locking system, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity while still preventing harmful accidental removal of high-power battery packs.
Data Source
AI summary
A charger for use with a battery pack having a latch. The charger comprises a charging bay defining a battery path and a lock including a member retractably extending into the charging bay transverse to the battery path. The member is positioned to overlap with the latch in the battery path regardless of a position of the latch lateral to the path direction.