Battery Pack Latch and USB Charging for Multi-Directional Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery packs and chargers lack versatility in attachment methods and fail to provide efficient charging solutions, particularly in facilitating multiple directional attachments and integrated fuel gauge indicators.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design featuring a housing and cover with multiple directional slots for electric contacts and a button with a latch mechanism, along with a universal serial bus connector for charging, allowing for versatile attachment and integrated fuel gauge indicators using light pipes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional battery packs use single-directional attachment methods, then the structure is simple, but the versatility and adaptability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment versatilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is designed with multiple attachment interfaces including electric contacts on the cover and a USB connector on the housing, enabling the same battery pack to power different devices through multiple attachment methods (direct electrical contact and USB connectivity), thus achieving multi-functionality and versatility without requiring separate charging solutions for different devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If battery packs use integrated fuel gauge indicators with light pipes, then the fuel level visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel level information visibilityVSAvoidindicator system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Light pipes are introduced as intermediary elements that transmit light from the fuel gauge indicator to the exterior of the battery pack housing. This allows the fuel level information to be visually displayed without requiring complex electronic displays or additional power-consuming components, achieving clear information transmission through a simple optical intermediary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If battery packs lack USB connectivity, then the device complexity is lower, but the charging efficiency and versatility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidconnector complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A USB connector is integrated into the battery pack housing, enabling universal charging compatibility with USB-powered devices. This single connector provides both charging functionality and data communication capabilities, replacing the need for multiple device-specific charging interfaces and improving charging efficiency through standardized power delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4280344A1Battery pack and charger
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP
  • EP4280344A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4280344A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4280344A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A battery pack includes a housing, and a cover coupled to the housing. The housing and the cover define an interior to receive a battery. The battery pack also includes a button movably coupled to the housing. The button includes a latch. The button moves from a first position relative to the housing to a second position relative to the housing. The battery pack also includes a switch disposed within the housing. The button contacts the switch when the button is in the second position.