Vehicle Cabin Portable Battery With Latch and Synchronized Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a portable solution that can charge electronic devices and electric vehicles, as well as provide ambient lighting, especially in situations where traditional power sources are unavailable or packed away.
Innovation Solution
A portable battery designed to latch into a vehicle cabin for easy access and charging, equipped with a battery module, light source, and electrical ports, which can synchronize with the vehicle's lighting system and include buttons for controlling light and power settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a portable battery is designed with high capacity (at least 50 amp hours) to charge devices and vehicles, then the energy storage capability is improved, but the weight and size of the battery increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable battery is designed to serve multiple functions: charging electronic devices, charging the electric vehicle itself, and providing ambient lighting. This multi-functionality justifies the higher capacity requirement and makes the weight acceptable by maximizing the utility derived from each unit of energy stored.
2Ease of operation
If the portable battery includes a latch mechanism to secure it to the vehicle cabin, then the stability and ease of access are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently attached to the vehicle cabin. This segmentation allows the latch to be a simple, focused mechanism rather than a complex integrated system, improving ease of access while minimizing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to be easily operated by the user without requiring additional tools or complex procedures. The simple latch and handle design allows users to quickly secure and release the battery themselves, improving ease of access while keeping the mechanism straightforward.
3Illumination intensity
If the portable battery includes a light source with lens housing and emitters to provide diffuse ambient lighting, then the illumination quality is improved, but the device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light source, lens housing, and emitters are integrated into a single unified lighting assembly that is built into the battery structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate lighting components and simplifies the overall system while providing quality diffuse ambient lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system serves multiple purposes: providing ambient illumination for the vehicle cabin, synchronizing with vehicle lights for coordinated operation, and potentially serving as a visual indicator. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by deriving multiple benefits from a single integrated system.
4Productivity
If the portable battery includes electrical contacts to transfer electricity with the vehicle for charging, then the charging capability is improved, but the reliability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contacts are pre-positioned and pre-aligned in the battery design, and the latch mechanism is specifically designed to ensure proper alignment when the battery is secured to the vehicle. This preliminary positioning ensures reliable electrical connection before charging begins, reducing the risk of connection failures.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the portable battery synchronizes with the vehicle lighting system to match brightness and color, then the aesthetic integration is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable battery includes sensors or communication interfaces that detect the vehicle lighting system's brightness and color settings, and automatically adjust the battery's light source to match. This feedback mechanism enables automatic synchronization without requiring complex manual controls, improving adaptability while managing complexity through automated adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable battery configured to be secured to a vehicle is disclosed. The portable battery includes a latch to secure it in the vehicle and electrical ports configured to provide power. The portable battery may also include a light source to provide ambient light which may be synchronized with the vehicle. The portable battery may charge a user device or the vehicle itself. The portable battery may also be charged from the vehicle.