Battery Holder With Flexible Side And Guide Slit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery holders with flexible portions or latches can prevent batteries from accidentally dropping, but they are difficult to remove smoothly, leading to potential loss when the flexible portions or latches are expanded outward.

Innovation Solution

A battery holder design featuring a storage chamber with an opening end surface, upper and lower surface sections, and side-surface sections, including a projection on the first side-surface section and a deformable flexible section on the second side-surface section, along with slits in the upper and lower surface sections, allowing for easy insertion and guided removal of the battery without excessive force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flexible portion or latch is used to hold the battery, then the battery is prevented from accidentally dropping, but the battery holder becomes difficult to operate for removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery retentionVSAvoidbattery removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall is designed as a flexible portion that can dynamically change its state between expanded (holding) and contracted (release) positions. When the battery is inserted, the flexible portion expands to engage the battery; when removal is needed, the flexible portion contracts to release the battery, enabling easy operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring active force to maintain holding state, the design uses passive elasticity where the flexible portion naturally returns to its original state after battery insertion. The holding force is generated by the elastic recovery of the flexible portion, inverting the typical locking mechanism approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the flexible portion is expanded outward to insert the battery, then the battery can be stored, but the holding force is immediately eliminated and the battery can drop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery insertionVSAvoidbattery retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible portion is pre-positioned and pre-loaded with elastic energy before battery insertion. When the battery is inserted, the flexible portion already has the capability to expand and engage the battery immediately, ensuring continuous holding force without interruption during the insertion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic flexibility of the side wall acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs insertion forces and maintains continuous contact with the battery. This beforehand cushioning ensures that the holding force is maintained throughout the insertion process and prevents battery drop.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple configuration is used for the battery holder, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the battery may drop when the holder is attached or detached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholder simplicityVSAvoidbattery retention during mounting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall is designed as a flexible thin-walled structure that can elastically deform to accommodate battery insertion and maintain holding force. This flexible shell structure provides both simplicity for manufacturing and reliability for battery retention during mounting and detachment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 battery holder securely prevents accidental dropping during insertion and allows for smooth removal by using a slit as a guide, ensuring the battery can be taken out without falling, even if the holder is dropped.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic piece for pressing the upper surface of the button battery is attached on the upper surface section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a flexible section that is deformable toward the outside of the storage chamber is formed on the second side-surface section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10215345B2Battery holder and portable lighting apparatus using same

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A battery holder includes storage chamber for storing a battery. The storage chamber includes: opening end surface through which battery can be taken in or out; and upper surface section, lower surface section, and first and second side-surface sections (opposing each other) for holding the battery. Projection is formed on the inner wall of first side-surface section at a portion including the end on the opening end surface side. Outward deformable flexible section is formed on second side-surface section at a portion including the end on the opening end surface side. Slit that extends from third side-surface section opposite to the opening end surface toward the opening end surface and stops at the position corresponding to a part of the battery is formed in upper surface section and/or lower surface section. The end of the flexible section is located closer to the third side-surface section than the projection.