Battery Compartment Layout That Blocks Power Backflow Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices require a circuit configuration to prevent backflow of current when using both primary batteries and external power sources, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Designing an electronic device with a physical structure that prevents simultaneous use of batteries and external power sources by ensuring that the external power source cannot be connected unless the batteries are removed, thereby eliminating the need for backflow protection elements and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a circuit configuration to protect against backflow of current is added for simultaneous power supply from primary battery and external power source, then safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the backflow protection function from the electrical circuit domain and relocates it to the mechanical structure domain. By designing the battery storage unit and connection terminal structure such that the battery cannot be installed when the external power source is connected, the protection against backflow is achieved through physical prevention rather than electrical circuitry, thereby eliminating the need for additional protection circuits and reducing manufacturing costs.
2Reliability
If backflow protection elements are added to the circuit, then protection against liquid leakage and ignition is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the backflow protection function from the electrical circuit system and implements it through mechanical structural design. The battery storage unit is configured with a specific structure that physically prevents the battery from being installed when the external power source is connected, thereby eliminating the need for complex protection circuits and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical/mechanical protection system (backflow protection elements) with a purely mechanical structural solution. The connection terminal and battery storage unit are designed with complementary shapes and positioning features that mechanically prevent incorrect installation, substituting complex electrical protection circuits with simple mechanical constraints.
3Ease of manufacture
If the physical structure prevents simultaneous use of batteries and external power sources, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic power supply system where the available power sources change based on the operational state. The system dynamically switches between battery-only mode (when external power is not connected) and external power-only mode (when battery is removed), preventing simultaneous use through structural design. This dynamic state-dependent operation maintains versatility while simplifying the power management architecture.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
an electronic device capable of operating by a current supplied from a power supply cable or a battery, including: a first terminal configured to supply the current from the power supply cable; a second terminal configured to supply the current from the 5 battery; and a first case having a first storage configured to store the power supply cable inserted into the first terminal and a second storage configured to store the battery in contact with the second terminal; wherein the first storage overlaps with the second storage.an electronic device capable of operating by a current supplied from a power supply cable or a battery, including: a first terminal configured to supply the current from the power supply cable; a second terminal configured to supply the current from the 5 battery; and a first case having a first storage configured to store the power supply cable inserted into the first terminal and a second storage configured to store the battery in contact with the second terminal; wherein the first storage overlaps with the second storage. An electronic device capable of operating by a current supplied from a power supply cable or a battery, including: a first terminal configured to supply the current from the power supply cable; a second terminal configured to supply the current from the battery; and a first case having a first storage configured to store the power supply cable inserted into the first terminal and a second storage configured to store the battery in contact with the second terminal; wherein the first storage overlaps with the second storage.