Battery-operated device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery-operated devices face increased electric current flow through diodes, leading to heat generation and diode deterioration, which can be mitigated by using larger diodes or cooling fans, but this increases device size and cost.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates separate first and second power-supply circuits with rectifiers on current paths to manage electric current flow, inhibiting heat generation without increasing size or cost by using switches to control current paths and rectifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of objects controlled by the control circuit is increased, then the control functionality is improved, but the electric energy consumed by the power-supply circuit increases, leading to increased electric current through diodes and heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidheat generation in diodes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the power supply system into multiple independent power-supply circuits (first power-supply circuit, second power-supply circuit, etc.), each with its own rectifier and current paths. This segmentation allows the electric current from multiple battery packs to be distributed across separate circuits, preventing excessive current concentration in single diodes and reducing heat generation while supporting expanded control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If larger-sized diodes are used to inhibit heat generation, then the heat resistance is improved, but the size of the power-supply circuit and battery-operated device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat generation resistanceVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using larger diodes to handle increased current, the patent segments the current paths into multiple separate circuits. Each rectifier handles a portion of the total current, allowing the use of smaller, more compact diodes while still managing heat generation effectively. This maintains device size efficiency while achieving thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Temperature

If a cooling fan is provided to inhibit heat generation, then the thermal management is improved, but the size and cost of the power-supply circuit increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat generation controlVSAvoidpower-supply circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for cooling fans by segmenting the power supply into multiple circuits with separate current paths. This passive thermal management approach through circuit segmentation avoids adding active cooling components, thereby maintaining device simplicity and reducing cost while effectively managing heat generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If multiple battery packs are connected via diodes to the power-supply circuit, then the power supply reliability is improved, but the electric current through diodes increases, causing heat generation and diode deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidheat generation in diodes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates multiple independent power-supply circuits, each with its own rectifier, allowing battery packs to be connected through separate current paths. This segmentation maintains power supply reliability by providing multiple independent power sources while distributing the current load, thereby preventing excessive heat generation in any single diode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution effectively reduces electric current through rectifiers, preventing heat generation and diode deterioration, thus maintaining device size and cost efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The first rectifier is on the third current path. The first rectifier (i) allows a first electric current to flow through the third current path from the first end of the third current path to the second end of the third current path and (ii) inhibits or prevents a second electric current from flowing through the third current path from the second end of the third current path to the first end of the third current path.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentUS12519309B2Battery-operated device

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 MAKITA CORP

AI summary

A battery-operated device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes first to fourth current paths. A first end of the first current path and a first end of the third current path are connected to a first battery. A first end of the second current path and a first end of the fourth current path are connected to a second battery. A second end of the first current path is connected to a second end of the second current path. A second end of the third current path is connected to a second end of the fourth current path. The battery-operated device further includes a first switch on the first current path, a second switch on the second current path, a first rectifier on the third current path, and a fourth rectifier on the fourth current path.