Battery Pack Fuel Gauge Indication for On-Demand Charge Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of battery packs often lack information about the charge status of the battery cells, leading to unexpected depletion or faulty charging, as there is no visual indication of the battery cell status within the pack.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design that includes a housing with a printed circuit board (PCB), an output interface, a switch, a temperature sensor, and a controller, which provides a visual indication via an indicator when an input signal is received, allowing users to assess the charge status on demand through a fuel gauge button.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If no visual indication system is provided in the battery pack, then the device remains simple and cost-effective, but the user cannot monitor the battery cell charge status and may experience unexpected depletion or faulty charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual indication system consisting of LEDs and a fuel gauge button that mediates between the battery cell charge status and the user. The controller processes charge status information and translates it into visual signals through LEDs, allowing users to monitor battery status without directly exposing complex internal monitoring circuits. This intermediary layer preserves user awareness while maintaining device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack provides self-service by automatically monitoring its own charge status through integrated sensors and controllers, then presenting this information through visual indicators. The system performs self-diagnosis and self-reporting functions, eliminating the need for external monitoring devices while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
2Loss of information
If a continuous visual display of battery status is implemented, then the user always has information about charge status, but the device consumes additional power and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous display, the patent implements periodic visual indication triggered by user interaction through a fuel gauge button. The LEDs remain dormant until the user presses the button, at which point they display the current charge status briefly. This periodic activation dramatically reduces power consumption compared to continuous display while still providing necessary information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback-based indication where the visual display is activated only in response to user input (button press). This feedback mechanism ensures information is provided on-demand rather than continuously, optimizing power usage while maintaining user awareness of battery status when required.
3Reliability
If multiple indicators and sensors are added to monitor battery status, charging reliability improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functional components where the same LED indicators serve multiple purposes: displaying charge status, indicating charging in-progress, signaling full charge, and alerting to error conditions. The fuel gauge button also serves dual functions as both a display trigger and a status indicator. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability and high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple monitoring functions into a unified visual indication system. Rather than having separate indicators for charge status, charging state, and errors, these functions are merged into a single LED array controlled by a unified controller that interprets sensor data and activates appropriate visual patterns. This consolidation reduces component count while maintaining reliable monitoring across all critical parameters.
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
Enables users to conveniently plan charging and discharging by providing a visual indication of the battery cell's charge status, preventing unexpected depletion and faulty charging scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
an indicator provided on the first PCB... provide, in response to determining the condition, a visual indication via the indicator
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack that provides a visual indication in response to an input. The battery pack includes a housing, a battery cell contained within the housing, a first printed circuit board (PCB) within the housing, an output interface provided on the first PCB, an indicator provided on the first PCB, a second PCB within the housing, a switch provided on the second PCB, a temperature sensor provided on the second PCB, and a controller positioned on the first PCB. The controller is operable to receive an input signal from at least one of the output interface and the switch, determine a condition based on the input signal, and provide, in response to determining the condition, a visual indication via the indicator.