Battery Lock Mechanism With Preloaded Arms For Secure Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable computing devices require an efficient mechanism to securely lock and eject batteries for continuous operation, as existing solutions fail to provide a reliable and user-friendly method for battery retention and ejection.
Innovation Solution
A battery lock mechanism comprising a body with preloaded arms, including vertical and horizontal pins, that biases movement and generates an ejection force to securely retain and eject batteries when a button is pressed, utilizing a pivot axis and strategically positioned arms to counter torque and generate specified forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery lock mechanism is implemented to securely retain the battery, then the reliability of battery retention is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like arms, pins, and pivot axes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated locking mechanism. The body with arms and pins integrates both retention and ejection functions, eliminating the need for separate locking and ejection mechanisms. This merging approach maintains reliability while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically lock and eject the battery without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The spring-loaded arms and pins self-engage with the battery features to provide secure retention, and the same structure provides ejection force when needed, making the system self-sufficient.
2Ease of operation
If preloaded arms with pins are used to provide biasing and ejection forces, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are preloaded during assembly to establish the biasing force before the battery is even installed. This preliminary action ensures that the locking mechanism is ready to engage immediately, providing ease of operation. The preloading also compensates for manufacturing tolerances, reducing the impact of precision variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes spring elements that can be adjusted or selected with different force characteristics. By changing the spring parameters (coil density, wire diameter, free length), the biasing and ejection forces can be tuned to achieve the desired operational ease while accommodating standard manufacturing tolerances for the arm and pin dimensions.
3Productivity
If multiple arms are used to provide both biasing and ejection forces, then the productivity of battery replacement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide biasing force for secure locking, provide ejection force for battery removal, and mechanically link the locking and ejection actions. This multi-functionality increases productivity by enabling rapid battery replacement while avoiding the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions dynamically between locked and unlocked states through the coordinated movement of the arms and pins. The spring-loaded arms can quickly shift from the locked position to the ejection position and back, enabling rapid battery replacement. This dynamic behavior allows the system to achieve high productivity without requiring excessive structural complexity.
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
Enables secure battery retention and efficient ejection, ensuring continuous device operation by providing a reliable locking and unlocking mechanism that effectively manages battery replacement without manual effort.
Implementation Method 1
The first arm may be configured to provide a biasing force that biases movement of the body in a first direction about the pivot axis
Implementation Method 2
The second arm may be configured to provide an ejection force to a battery
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are battery locks. The batter locks may include a body, a first arm, and a second arm. The body may have a first end, a second end, and a pivot axis. The pivot axis may be located in between the first end and the second end. The first arm may extend from the body proximate the first end. The first arm may be configured to provide a biasing force that biases movement of the body in a first direction about the pivot axis. The second arm may extend from the body proximate the first end. The second arm may be configured to provide an ejection force to a battery.