Battery Charger With Zero Insertion Force Contacts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery chargers face challenges with zero insertion force, proper polarity insertion, and flexibility in accommodating different battery sizes, especially for users with limited dexterity or in low-light conditions, due to the need to overcome compressive contact force and lack of visual cues for correct orientation.
Innovation Solution
A battery charger design featuring zero insertion force battery contacts with movable members that adjust to accommodate different battery sizes, a pivotable cover for easy access, and polarity agnostic contacts that make electrical contact without requiring users to overcome contact force, allowing for easy insertion and removal of batteries of varying sizes and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery contacts exert compressive force on battery terminals to provide reliable electrical connection, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as users must overcome contact force to insert and remove batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The battery charger employs a movable cover that transitions between open and closed positions, dynamically changing the state of the battery contacts. When the cover is open, contacts are retracted to allow easy battery insertion without overcoming compressive force. When the cover is closed, contacts engage with batteries to provide reliable electrical connection for charging.
2Adaptability or versatility
If charger is designed to accommodate different battery sizes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery charger is designed with a universal battery receiving chamber and adjustable battery supports that can accommodate multiple battery sizes (AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries). The movable cover and adjustable supports provide a single versatile structure that adapts to different battery dimensions without requiring multiple specialized charging compartments.
3Volume of moving object
If battery contacts are positioned close together to maintain compact charger size, then volume is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates as users have limited access to batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The charger utilizes a movable cover mechanism that, when opened, creates sufficient access space for users to insert and remove batteries. The compact body houses the battery contacts in a confined space, but the open cover position provides the necessary clearance for user interaction, effectively resolving the conflict between compact size and ease of access.
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 solution enables users to insert and remove batteries with zero force and ensures proper polarity connection, accommodating different battery sizes while maintaining a compact charger design, enhancing convenience and usability, particularly for users with limited dexterity or in low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Moving the first member in a first direction causes the first battery contact to move away from the second battery contact so that the distance between the first and second battery contacts is approximately equal to or greater than a longitudinal dimension of a first generally cylindrical battery
Implementation Method 2
the charger's battery contacts exert a compressive force on the battery terminals
Data Source
AI summary
A device (100) such as a battery charger includes a body (102), a movable member (104, 402), and a plurality of battery bays (108). Moving the member (104, 402) toward a first position increases a distance between respective first (132) and second (114) battery contacts so that a battery may be inserted with zero or substantially zero insertion force. Moving the member (104, 402) in the second direction decreases the distance between the first and second battery contacts. In one implementation, the device (100) is polarity agnostic.