Top Loading Battery Holder With Flexible Retention Tabs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing top loading battery holders require significant space on circuit boards, are costly to produce, and have complex fastening systems that make them difficult to access and assemble, due to the need for substantial clearance and secure battery positioning.
Innovation Solution
A top loading battery holder design that minimizes space usage, incorporates a housing with conductive or insulating materials, and uses a retention element with flexible tabs and projections to securely hold batteries in place, allowing for easy installation and removal, while being integratable with circuit boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional battery holders are used to secure batteries on circuit boards, then battery positioning is reliable, but the space required on the circuit board surface is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar battery holder design to a three-dimensional cavity structure that extends vertically from the circuit board surface. The holder includes sidewalls rising from the board and a retention element that extends upward to engage the battery, utilizing the Z-dimension to secure the battery without requiring additional lateral clearance space on the circuit board surface.
2Reliability
If complex fastening systems are used to secure batteries, then battery security is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retention element is integrated as a single molded component with the holder body, combining the functions of mechanical support, electrical insulation, and battery retention into one piece. The retention element includes flexible tabs and protrusions that are formed as integral parts of the holder, eliminating the need for separate fasteners, screws, or clips that would increase manufacturing complexity and assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention element incorporates elastic flexible tabs that automatically exert retaining force on the battery upon insertion. The tabs deflect as the battery is inserted and then spring back to secure the battery in place, providing self-securing functionality without requiring additional fastening operations or complex assembly procedures.
3Reliability
If covering systems are used to secure batteries, then battery contact with circuit board is ensured, but access for battery replacement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retention element incorporates elastic flexible tabs that can dynamically deflect to allow battery insertion and removal. The tabs are designed with sufficient flexibility to be pushed aside during battery installation or replacement, and then return to their original position to secure the battery, providing easy access while maintaining secure contact.
4Ease of operation
If traditional battery holders with clearance space are used, then battery installation is possible, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder utilizes vertical space by extending sidewalls and retention elements upward from the circuit board surface, allowing the battery to be secured in the Z-dimension rather than requiring additional lateral clearance in the X-Y plane. This vertical utilization of space enables compact device design while maintaining ease of battery installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A top loading battery holder that is arranged in direct contact with a surface (e.g., circuit board) to allow for a battery to be arranged directly within the holder and in electrical contact with the surface. The battery holder can include a housing that is configured to at least substantially surround a battery that is arranged therein and a plurality of a flanges and/or protrusions that are configured to extend inwardly from the housing to aid in securing the battery within the housing.