Battery Pack Locking Mechanism with Selective Recess Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power tool battery pack locking mechanisms often require a double locking system, which is unnecessary for smaller or lighter packs and can lead to customer confusion regarding proper contact establishment, as the locking mechanism is not standardized across devices.
Innovation Solution
A locking mechanism that allows for selective provision of single or double locking means by varying the shape and position of recesses in the battery pack, enabling engagement with either the front or rear recess for contact establishment, and potentially using multiple recesses for enhanced locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double locking means is used in all power tools, then large and heavy power tools have secure battery pack fixation, but smaller or lighter power tools have unnecessary complexity and customer confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is designed with a universal locking mechanism that can function in both single-locking and double-locking modes. The same battery pack housing with front and rear detent grooves can be used across all power tool sizes, with the locking behavior determined by the presence or absence of corresponding grooves in the power tool housing, not by different battery pack designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is made dynamic and adaptive: the battery pack automatically engages with whichever detent grooves are present in the power tool housing. If only one groove exists, single locking occurs; if two grooves exist, double locking occurs. This eliminates the need for customers to manually configure or understand different locking systems.
2Reliability
If a double locking means is used, then the battery pack is secured against falling out during transport, but contact establishment between terminals is delayed until rear groove engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking and electrical contact functions are separated into distinct stages. The front detent groove handles mechanical securing during transport, while the rear detent groove handles both final mechanical locking and electrical contact establishment. This segmentation allows the battery pack to be securely held in position before electrical connection is made.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standardized battery packs are used across all devices, then versatility and interchangeability are improved, but the locking mechanism cannot be optimized for specific device sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack housing is designed as a universal component with both front and rear detent grooves that can engage with power tool housings of any size. The same battery pack can be used in lightweight devices (engaging only the front groove) and heavy-duty devices (engaging both grooves), automatically adapting to the appropriate locking mode without requiring different battery pack designs.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for locking electrical devices (2) with battery packs (4) for power supply, in which the electrical devices (2) have one movable locking bar (14; 36; 38; 40; 42) and the battery packs (4) have at least two recesses (24, 26), and upon locking, the recesses (24, 26) are located one after the other in the direction of a relative motion between the electrical device (2) and the battery pack (4), and after locking, the locking bar (14; 36; 38; 40; 42) engages one of the recesses (24, 26). It is provided that the recesses (24, 26) are differently shaped or of different dimensions or are offset transversely to the direction of motion; and that in different combinations of electrical devices (2) and battery packs (4), the shape, dimensions and/or offset of the recesses (24, 26) are each adapted to the shape, dimensions or position of the locking bar (14; 36; 38; 40; 42) in such a way that the locking bar (14; 36; 38; 40; 42) engages either only the front recess (24) or only the rear recess (26) or successively the front recess and then the rear recess (24, 26, respectively).