Battery Pack Configurable Connector for Storage and Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional battery packs manufactured in a ready-to-use state lead to self-discharge and exceed transport regulations, posing safety risks and reducing battery lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design with a configurable connector and user-actuated switch that allows internal circuits to be disconnected until activated by the user, preventing self-discharge and ensuring compliance with transport regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery pack is manufactured in a ready-to-use state with full assembly, then the convenience for users is improved, but self-discharge occurs leading to power consumption and reduced battery lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is prepared in advance with all components (cells, housing, interface terminals) assembled and ready, but the internal circuit connection is deliberately left disconnected. This preliminary preparation maintains convenience while preventing self-discharge by breaking the electrical circuit before use.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack is divided into separable functional parts: the physical assembly is complete, but the electrical connection between cells is segmented and can be independently controlled through the configurable connector. This allows the structure to be ready while the circuit remains open.
2Ease of operation
If the battery pack is manufactured with full assembly and high capacity, then the usability is improved, but transport safety regulations are violated due to excessive battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is pre-assembled with high-capacity cells and complete internal structure, but the electrical circuit is kept open during transport. This allows the product to be ready for immediate use upon activation while maintaining safety during transportation by preventing any electrical activity.
Solution Approach 2:
A configurable connector with user contactable switch acts as an intermediary control mechanism between the high-capacity battery cells and the external circuit. This intermediary allows the system to maintain high capacity for usability while controlling electrical flow to comply with transport safety regulations.
3Loss of energy
If a configurable connector with user contactable switch is added to control internal circuit connection, then self-discharge is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user contactable switch on the configurable connector allows the end user to independently control the internal circuit connection without requiring factory intervention or complex external equipment. The system serves itself by enabling users to activate or deactivate the battery pack according to their needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The configurable connector with user contactable switch serves multiple functions: it controls circuit connection to prevent self-discharge, provides user interface for activation, and ensures transport safety. This multi-functional component adds minimal complexity while solving multiple problems simultaneously.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
A battery pack (20), which includes: a housing; a frame disposed inside the housing; and two or more cells (32) mounted to the frame. The two or more cells (32) are connected with each other through a configurable connector (52). The configurable connector (52) is suitable to connect or disconnect an electrical connection between the two or more cells (32). Wherein the configurable connector (52) includes a user contactable switch (22) located on an outer surface (21) of the housing. The user contactable switch (22) is configured to move within a plane parallel to the outer surface (21), such that the contactable connector (52) is switched between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the electrical connection exists between the two or more cells (32); in the second state, the electrical connection does not exist between the two or more cells (32). Therefore, the battery pack (20) may disconnect a connection of the internal circuit thereof in non-use state, such as shipping and storing, such that the battery pack (20) can disconnect its internal circuit in the non-use state such as transportation and storage, such that the loss caused by the self-discharging may be minimized and the safety hazard may be avoided at the same time.