Battery Disconnect Mechanism for Safe Motherboard Servicing

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Solution Overview

Problem

During servicing of information handling systems, there is a risk of electrical short circuits due to failure to disconnect the battery from the motherboard, leading to potential permanent and costly damage.

Innovation Solution

An information handling system with a control circuit that includes electrically conductive pads and a mechanical component made of conductive material, which electrically shorts or isolates the pads based on the mechanical coupling state, ensuring safe electrical coupling or decoupling of components from the battery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the battery remains connected to the motherboard during servicing, then power is continuously supplied to components, but electrical short circuits may occur causing permanent damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against electrical short circuitsVSAvoidrisk of electrical short circuit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical component is pre-configured to automatically disconnect the battery from the motherboard when the enclosure is opened. The conductive material is positioned to break contact with the electrically conductive pad upon mechanical decoupling, ensuring battery disconnection occurs before servicing begins, thereby preventing electrical short circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical component acts as an intermediary between the enclosure structure and the electrical connection. This component translates the mechanical state (enclosure closed/open) into an electrical state (connection/disconnection), mediating the interaction between physical assembly and electrical safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a mechanical component is added to control battery disconnection, then electrical safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical isolation during servicingVSAvoidadditional mechanical component

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical component integrates multiple functions: it serves as both a structural element of the enclosure and an electrical switch. The conductive material within this single component simultaneously provides mechanical support and electrical connection/disconnection, merging structural and electrical control functions to minimize additional complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical component performs multiple roles: it maintains the mechanical coupling between enclosure portions and simultaneously controls the electrical connection between battery and motherboard. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated switching mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces the risk of electrical short circuits during servicing by ensuring that components are safely decoupled from the battery when the mechanical cover is removed, preventing damage.

Implementation Method 1

a mechanical component comprising conductive material and configured to electrically short the first electrically conductive pad to the second electrically conductive pad when the first member is mechanically coupled to the second member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20220382334A1Systems and methods for disconnection of battery when servicing information handling system

Publication Date: 2022.12.01 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system may include a battery, a circuit board, an enclosure, and a control circuit. The circuit board may include at least one electric component, a first electrically conductive pad, and a second electrically conductive pad in proximity to the first electrically conductive pad. The enclosure may be configured to house components of the information handling system including the battery and the circuit board, and the enclosure may include a first member, a second member configured to be mechanically coupled to the first member, and a mechanical component comprising conductive material and configured to electrically short the first electrically conductive pad to the second electrically conductive pad when the first member is mechanically coupled to the second member, and cause electrical isolation of the first electrically conductive pad from the second electrically conductive pad when the first member is mechanically decoupled from the second member. The control circuit may be configured to, when the first electrically conductive pad is shorted to the second electrically conductive pad, cause the at least one electrical component to be electrically coupled to the battery and when the first electrically conductive pad is electrically isolated from the second electrically conductive pad, cause the at least one electrical component to be electrically decoupled from the battery.