Cordless Appliance Battery Dock With Standardized Locking Charge Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery-operated kitchen appliances lack a standardized and efficient system for battery charging and interchangeability across different appliances, leading to inconvenience and inefficiency in charging and power management.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable battery assembly comprising a charging base with standardized connections and a battery with corresponding receptacles, tabs, and buttons that engage and disengage for secure charging and installation, allowing for easy interchangeability and efficient power delivery across various kitchen appliances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standardized connection specification is implemented for battery and charging base interfaces, then interchangeability and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for compatible standardized components across multiple appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a standardized connection specification that allows the same battery and charging base interface to be used across multiple different kitchen appliance models. The receptacle and plug designs enable universal compatibility, allowing users to interchange batteries between appliances without requiring model-specific components, thereby improving ease of operation while managing complexity through standardized design
2Reliability
If tabs are designed to move inwardly by initial engagement with notches and then outward behind the notches, then reliability of battery retention is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the two-step engagement process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic tabs that change position during the engagement process. The tabs initially move inwardly to engage with notches in the charging base, providing secure retention. When release buttons are pressed, the tabs move outward behind the notches, allowing battery removal. This dynamic movement sequence ensures reliable retention during charging while enabling controlled removal when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement mechanism performs preliminary action by having the tabs automatically move inward and engage with the notches during the initial insertion process. This preliminary engagement secures the battery in the charging position without requiring additional manual steps, while the release buttons provide the necessary action to reverse the process for removal
3Ease of operation
If buttons are added to flex the tabs for release from notches, then ease of operation for battery removal is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional release mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is designed to be user-actuated through buttons that directly flex the tabs. When a user presses a release button, it immediately flexes the associated tab outward from the notch, enabling battery removal. This self-service mechanism allows users to control the release process without requiring external tools or complex automated systems, improving ease of operation while keeping the mechanism relatively simple
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable battery assembly for a kitchen appliance includes a charging base with a plug according to a standardized connection specification and a body having a pair of notches disposed adjacent a perimeter thereof. The battery assembly also includes a battery with a receptacle, a plurality of battery terminals, a plurality of tabs, and first and second buttons. The plurality of tabs are configured to move inwardly by initial engagement with corresponding notches in the charging receptacle and to move outward behind the corresponding notches when the battery is fully received in the charging receptacle, thereby defining a charging position. The first and second buttons are associated with respective ones of the plurality of tabs. The first and second buttons each are configured to move the respective tabs inward for release from the notches to remove the battery from the charging position.