Battery Contact Housing With Wedge Actuation Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical apparatuses with battery receptacles lack efficient mechanisms to transition between actuation and non-actuation states, requiring significant force to switch between operational and non-operational modes.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a wedge mechanism with wedging components on movable housing portions, allowing for a high mechanical advantage to move the movable portion from a non-actuation to an actuation position with a small user-applied force, utilizing a sliding roof configuration and biasing springs for efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional mechanical arrangement is used to switch between actuation and non-actuation states, then the battery receptacle can be operated, but significant user force is required to transition between states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser effort requiredVSAvoidforce required to switch states

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a ratchet mechanism that allows periodic unidirectional movement. The movable portion can be easily pushed in the actuation direction by periodic user actions, while the ratchet prevents reverse movement without requiring significant force, enabling easy state transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The ratchet mechanism acts as an intermediary between the movable portion and the housing. It mediates the force interaction by allowing easy forward movement while preventing backward movement, thereby reducing the force required for state transitions without compromising operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a mechanical arrangement with high force requirement is used, then reliable operation is achieved, but user effort increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliable operation of battery receptacleVSAvoiduser effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ratchet mechanism enables reliable operation through its one-way locking action while allowing periodic easy user interactions. The movable portion can be reliably positioned in the actuation state with minimal force, and the ratchet ensures it remains there without requiring continuous force application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The ratchet serves as a force-amplifying intermediary that converts small user-applied forces into reliable positioning of the movable portion. It provides the necessary mechanical advantage to achieve reliable operation while keeping user effort minimal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If a wedge mechanism with distributed wedging components is used, then mechanical advantage is increased, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical advantageVSAvoidcomplexity of wedge mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge mechanism is segmented into distributed wedging components positioned at strategic locations within the housing. These segmented components work together to provide cumulative mechanical advantage while keeping each individual component simple and easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple wedging components are merged into a coordinated system where their combined effect provides high mechanical advantage. The components are integrated with the housing structure, merging the wedge mechanism with the existing housing design to minimize additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution enables efficient force utilization, allowing the apparatus to switch between states with significantly less user effort, providing reliable and efficient operation of the battery receptacle and circuitries.

Implementation Method 1

The apparatus comprises a wedge mechanism which is configured to move the movable portion from the non-actuation position to the actuation position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWedge mechanism: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

enables efficient force utilization, allowing the apparatus to switch between states with significantly less user effort

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

utilizing a sliding roof configuration and biasing springs for efficient operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 4

biasing springs for efficient operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20230283093A1Electrical apparatuses

Publication Date: 2023.09.07 GP ELECTRONICS HK

AI summary

An electrical apparatus comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, a first set of battery contacts and a second set of battery contacts, when the second housing portion is at a first relative position, the second set of battery contacts is at an actuation position; and when the second housing portion is at a second relative position, the second set of battery contacts is at a non-actuation position.