Interchangeable Battery Management for Mobile Workstations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile workstations in healthcare facilities face downtime and inconvenience due to the need for rechargeable batteries, which are often heavy and unwieldy, requiring facilities to maintain multiple workstations for continuous use and necessitating power-downs during battery switching.
Innovation Solution
A system with interchangeable batteries and a common battery charger that includes a control device to manage battery identification and charging cycle count, allowing seamless battery swapping without powering down the workstation, using lightweight batteries and a docking station design for efficient charging and swapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rechargeable batteries are used in mobile workstations, then workstations can operate without wall outlets, but workstations require downtime for recharging and multiple units are needed for continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into multiple interchangeable battery units that can be independently swapped. Each battery unit functions as an independent power source, allowing one battery to be recharged while another continues powering the workstation, eliminating downtime through parallel operation of multiple battery segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Batteries are recharged in advance at docking stations before being needed. The system performs preliminary charging actions so that fully charged batteries are ready for immediate swap, eliminating waiting time during operational periods. Batteries undergo preliminary conditioning and charging cycles while in storage or at docking stations.
2Power
If conventional heavy batteries are used, then sufficient power is provided, but batteries become heavy and unwieldy requiring multiple workstations
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameters of batteries by using lighter materials and optimized chemical compositions. Modern battery technologies with higher energy density allow sufficient power output with reduced weight and volume, enabling single-workstation deployment with multiple lightweight interchangeable batteries rather than heavy single-unit batteries.
3Loss of time
If battery switching is implemented, then recharging downtime is reduced, but workstations must be powered down during switching
Solution Approach 1:
The battery switching mechanism is designed to maintain continuous power delivery to the workstation during battery replacement. Electrical contacts and circuitry are configured to ensure uninterrupted power flow, allowing battery swaps without powering down the workstation, thus maintaining continuous useful action and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
A docking station serves as an intermediary between batteries and workstations, facilitating seamless battery replacement. The docking station manages electrical connections and ensures continuous power supply during the transition from one battery to another, acting as a mediator that eliminates interruptions in workstation operation.
4Reliability
If multiple workstations are maintained for continuous operation, then uninterrupted service is provided, but facility costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple battery units are designed with universal compatibility across workstation models. The same battery design can serve multiple workstations, and the docking station system provides universal charging and management capabilities. This universality allows a single fleet of batteries to support multiple workstations, reducing the need for redundant equipment and simplifying fleet management while maintaining continuous operation availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for use in gathering and/or processing data in healthcare facilities includes a fleet of mobile workstations, a set of interchangeable batteries for the fleet of mobile workstations and a battery recharging system for the set of interchangeable batteries. The battery recharging system includes a common battery charger and a control device configured to reduce variation in charging cycle count among the batteries at least in part by outputting a battery selection signal in response to comparing charging cycle counts for each of the batteries.