Battery Terminal Adapter for Wireless Charging Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery designs for portable devices, such as mobile phones, face challenges in integrating wireless charging and solar charging features without increasing manufacturing costs or reducing battery capacity, as adding a second connector to access battery power from the phone back cover complicates the electronics and reduces active volume.
Innovation Solution
A thin, flexible electrical connector adapter with L-shaped terminals and a non-conductive substrate is used to connect the battery terminals on one side of the battery to both the existing charger contacts and a functional back cover, allowing for wireless or solar charging without modifying the phone's internal electronics or reducing battery capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a second connector is added to access battery power from the phone back cover, then wireless charging and solar charging features can be integrated, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary adapter component that mediates between the battery terminals and the charging contacts. This adapter includes conductive elements positioned to contact both the battery terminals and the charging contacts, enabling wireless and solar charging without requiring complex internal electronics modifications to the phone itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system is segmented into separate functional components: the battery with its terminals, the adapter with conductive elements, and the charging contacts on the back cover. This segmentation allows the charging functionality to be added without complicating the phone's internal electronics, as the adapter handles the electrical connection independently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a second connector is added to access battery power, then wireless charging and solar charging features can be integrated, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter component serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection for both wireless charging and solar charging, and it can be used across different phone models. This multi-functionality reduces per-unit manufacturing cost compared to implementing separate dedicated connectors for each charging type.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter appears to be a simple, inexpensive component with basic conductive elements and mounting structures. By using a simple, easily manufactured adapter rather than complex integrated electronics, the manufacturing cost is kept low while still achieving the desired charging functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If battery terminals are accessed from the back cover, then wireless charging and solar charging can be implemented, but battery capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of accessing battery terminals from the same plane as the battery body (which would reduce active volume), the patent extends conductive elements to the back cover dimension. This three-dimensional arrangement allows charging contacts to reach the battery terminals without encroaching on the battery's active volume, as the connection path utilizes the space between the battery and the back cover.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including a battery having first and second battery terminals; and an electrical connector adapter. The electrical connector adapter includes a first and second adapter terminals. The first adapter terminal has a first contact area on the first battery terminal at the first side of the battery and a second contact area on a second side of the battery. The second adapter terminal has a first contact area on the second battery terminal at the first side of the battery and a second contact area on the second side of the battery. The adapter is configured to allow first contacts to electrically connect to the first and second battery terminals through the first contact areas. The adapter is configured to allow second contacts to electrically connect to the second contact areas and be connected by the electrical connector adapter to the first and second battery terminals.