Battery Switch Control for Low-Power Electrical Apparatus Shipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries integrated into electrical apparatuses continue to consume power even when not in use, leading to reduced battery capacity over time, potentially causing the apparatus to fail when first used by a user after a long period of storage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a switch element and a time measurement circuit, with a control circuit that keeps the switch element off until the user starts using the apparatus, and operating in modes such as shipment, power down, and normal operation to minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a secondary battery is built in an electrical apparatus main body, then the structure of a housing can be simplified and the apparatus can be miniaturized, but power consumption increases and battery capacity decreases over time during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by setting the switch element to an off state before the user actually uses the apparatus. This preliminary disconnection of the battery from the circuit prevents unnecessary power consumption during storage periods, while still allowing the battery to be ready for immediate use when activated. The control element is pre-configured to maintain the switch in the off state during shipping and storage modes.
2Ease of operation
If a secondary battery is built in an electrical apparatus main body, then the apparatus can be shipped in a ready-to-use state, but the battery capacity may be insufficient when the user first uses it after long storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the switch element to be in the off state during shipping and storage, preventing power consumption that would deplete the battery. This ensures the battery retains sufficient capacity when the user first activates the apparatus, while still being in a ready-to-use state with all components in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the switch element controllable between on and off states based on the operational mode. The switch dynamically transitions from off (during shipping/storage) to on (during normal operation), allowing the system to adapt its power consumption characteristics to the current operational requirements.
3Speed
If the switch element is kept on to ensure immediate operation, then the apparatus can start immediately, but power consumption increases during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the switch element controllable between on and off states based on the operational mode. During shipping and storage modes, the switch is dynamically set to off to minimize energy loss. When normal operation is initiated, the switch transitions to on, enabling immediate startup without continuous power consumption during storage periods.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical apparatus is provided which can reduce, when it is shipped in a state in which a secondary battery is built therein, power consumption before a user starts to use the electrical apparatus first. The electrical apparatus 1 includes a secondary battery 11, a load 60 which operates by power supplied from the secondary battery 11, and a switch element 21 disposed between the secondary battery 11 and the load 60. The switch element 21 remains in an off state until a user starts use of the electrical apparatus.