Battery Pack Actuation Element Integrates LED Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rechargeable battery packs for handheld power tools face challenges in ergonomically integrating working-area illumination and charge status displays, especially when used with different tools, leading to reduced installation space and difficulty in positioning these components for optimal visibility and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable battery pack design that combines an actuation element with a light-emitting element, allowing for flexible positioning and functionality, where the actuation element also serves as a locking mechanism, and the light-emitting element provides both working-area illumination and charge status display, using a partly transparent surface and multiple LEDs with variable color and intensity to convey information effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If working-area illumination and charge status display are integrated into the rechargeable battery pack, then the battery pack provides comprehensive functionality, but the positioning of these components becomes difficult and installation space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light-emitting element with the actuation element into a single integrated component. The light-emitting element is positioned within the actuation element's structure, allowing both the illumination/display function and the locking actuation function to coexist in the same spatial location, thereby maximizing the use of available installation space within the battery pack housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation element is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the locking mechanism actuator and the housing for the light-emitting element. This multi-functionality allows the battery pack to provide illumination and charge status display without requiring additional separate components, thus preserving installation space while enhancing versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If working-area illumination and charge status display are integrated into the rechargeable battery pack, then the battery pack provides comprehensive functionality, but ergonomic positioning becomes difficult when used with different handheld power tools
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the light-emitting element into the actuation element, the patent creates a universal design that adapts to different handheld power tools. The actuation element's position is determined by locking mechanism requirements rather than illumination or display optimization, making it suitable for various tool types while maintaining ergonomic accessibility for both locking operation and visual feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The merging of illumination and actuation functions into a single component allows the light-emitting element to be positioned at the actuation element's location, which is ergonomically accessible across different tool configurations. This eliminates the need to separately optimize positions for illumination and locking, resolving the ergonomic positioning conflict.
3Ease of operation
If separate components are used for working-area illumination and charge status display, then component positioning is more flexible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light-emitting element with the actuation element into a single integrated component, reducing the total number of separate parts. This integration maintains positioning flexibility because the combined component can be located at the actuation element's position, which is naturally suited for both locking operation and visual feedback in various tool configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation element is designed as a multi-functional component that houses both the locking mechanism actuator and the light-emitting element. This universality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate illumination and display components while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to different tool types and configurations.
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 design enhances ergonomic integration, reduces the need for separate components, and allows for versatile display capabilities, ensuring the user is informed about charge status and tool operation while maintaining simplicity and flexibility across various handheld power tools.
Implementation Method 1
The actuation element has at least one light-emitting element for outputting an optical signal and/or for illuminating a working area
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable battery pack for a handheld power tool, encompasses a housing and at least one interface unit for establishing a mechanical and electrical connection between the rechargeable battery pack and the handheld power tool and/or a charging device. The interface unit has at least one locking element for locking the rechargeable battery pack onto the handheld power tool, and an actuation element for actuating the locking element. The actuation element encompasses at least one light-emitting element for outputting an optical signal and/or for illumination.