Battery Connector Assembly for Swollen Battery Power Cutoff

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile devices lack effective systems to detect and prevent the use of damaged lithium-ion batteries, which can pose safety hazards due to swelling or bloating, as they continue to provide power despite being in poor condition, often undetected by users.

Innovation Solution

The mobile device is designed with a battery component that includes connectors positioned to make contact with electrical connectors only when within a defined size or position threshold, featuring slots and receiving elements to secure and orient the battery, preventing contact if it exceeds a bulge threshold, and incorporating a battery cover to ensure proper engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the battery component is allowed to expand freely, then the battery capacity is maintained, but the battery may become swollen or bloated causing safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidsafety hazard from swollen battery
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving element's opening dimension is set to a specific parameter range (0.5mm to 2mm) that allows normal battery expansion while preventing excessive swelling. This parameter-based filtering enables the system to distinguish between acceptable and dangerous battery states without additional sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The battery component itself serves as the detection mechanism through its physical dimensions. When the battery swells beyond acceptable limits, its size automatically prevents connector contact, eliminating the need for separate detection systems and enabling self-protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the receiving element is made tighter to prevent battery bulge, then safety is improved, but the battery connector may not make proper contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery bulge preventionVSAvoidconnector contact reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The opening dimension of the receiving element is optimized to a specific range (0.5mm to 2mm) that simultaneously achieves two goals: it restricts excessive battery expansion to prevent swelling while maintaining enough clearance to accommodate normal manufacturing tolerances and ensure reliable connector contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving element applies partial constraint to the battery - enough to prevent dangerous swelling but not so much as to interfere with normal operation. This balanced approach ensures both safety and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If a complex detection system is added to detect battery faults, then detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery fault detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery component's physical dimensions serve as the detection mechanism. The receiving element's fixed opening acts as a mechanical gauge that automatically detects battery swelling through the simple principle of physical interference, eliminating the need for complex electronic sensors or detection circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The detection function is extracted from the electronic system and implemented through a simple mechanical structure. The receiving element with its constrained opening dimension provides fault detection through pure mechanical means, simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If the battery connector position is fixed to ensure proper contact, then power supply reliability is improved, but the device cannot detect battery swelling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidbattery swelling detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into two functional parts: the battery connector that provides electrical contact and the receiving element that provides mechanical constraint and detection. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving element acts as an intermediary between the battery component and the connector. It mediates the interaction by providing a constrained passage that both guides the connector for reliable contact and detects battery swelling through dimensional interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4178184B1Battery fault detection assemblies
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 HAND HELD PRODS INC
  • EP4178184B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4178184B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4178184B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Devices, assemblies, and associated methods are provided for mobile devices. An example mobile device comprises a body defining a cavity; and a battery component that is configured to be at least partially disposed within the cavity, the battery component comprising at least one battery connector disposed on an outer surface of the battery component. In some embodiments, the at least one battery connector is positioned to make contact with at least one electrical connector of the mobile device in order to provide power to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the mobile device is configured to prevent formation of a contact between the at least one battery connector and the at least one electrical connector in an instance in which a size or position of the battery component exceeds a battery bulge threshold.