Battery Pack Assembly With Sealed Contact Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removable battery pack assemblies for electronic devices, such as those used in animal confinement systems, face issues with terminal exposure leading to corrosion and potential loss of electrical contact due to the design of flexion springs, resulting in a shortened battery life and unreliable connections.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack assembly with a self-contained design featuring L-shaped guide grooves and detents for secure retention, L-shaped contact members for anode contact, and a flexible contact member to bias the battery and maintain cathode contact, along with a cap and O-ring for sealing, ensuring reliable and long-lasting electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cathode terminal is directly exposed outside the battery housing for electrical contact, then ease of connection is improved, but the terminal becomes susceptible to corrosion and damage over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a contact member that extends through the battery housing to provide an intermediary connection between the cathode terminal and the external receptacle. This contact member acts as a mediator that protects the cathode terminal from direct exposure to the external environment while maintaining electrical connectivity, thereby preventing corrosion and damage.
2Device complexity
If a single flexion spring is used to maintain electrical contact, then device complexity is reduced, but the spring may lose its flexing ability over extended use leading to loss of electrical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single flexion spring into multiple separate flexion springs, each associated with individual contact members. This segmentation allows each spring to operate independently, reducing the likelihood that all contact points will fail simultaneously. If one spring loses its flexing ability, the other springs continue to maintain reliable electrical contact.
3Ease of manufacture
If the battery and contactor are retained in the housing with a simple retaining ring, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the connection may become loose over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexion springs that provide dynamic, resilient retention of the battery and contactor within the housing. Unlike a static retaining ring, the flexion springs continuously apply elastic force to maintain secure engagement, compensating for any loosening or dimensional variations that occur over time, thereby ensuring stable electrical contact.
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
The solution provides a self-contained battery pack that prevents terminal exposure, maintains reliable electrical contact over extended use, and enhances the battery's lifespan by protecting against corrosion and ensuring consistent power delivery to electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible contact member positioned at the closed end of the battery housing... configured to bias the battery so that the opposite terminal of the battery is urged into electrical contact
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack assembly is provided for supplying electrical power to an electronic device, such as an electronic receiver of an animal confinement system. The battery pack assembly is removably insertable within a receptacle of the electronic receiver to electrically connect a battery contained within the battery pack assembly to internal electronics of the electronic receiver.