Charger Indicators for Battery Connection Status

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chargers lack a clear method for users to determine which battery connection parts can quickly complete charging, and there is no effective means to display temperature increases of electrical components, leading to confusion and potential overheating issues.

Innovation Solution

The charger includes indicators on each battery connection part that differ in blinking frequency or color to indicate faster charging capabilities, and temperature detectors to display when electrical components are within safe temperatures, allowing users to quickly identify the best connection for charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple battery connection parts are provided in a charger, then charging capacity and productivity are improved, but it becomes difficult for users to determine which connection part can quickly complete charging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capacityVSAvoidcharging status information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses different blinking frequencies of indicators (effectively different temporal color patterns) to convey charging status information. Fast-blinking indicators represent connection parts with lower temperatures and faster charging capability, while slow-blinking indicators represent connection parts with higher temperatures. This visual differentiation allows users to quickly identify the best connection part without requiring complex displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If indicators on multiple battery connection parts blink independently, then each connection part can display its status, but synchronization of blinking timing becomes difficult and user understanding is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatus indication reliabilityVSAvoiduser understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the blinking timing of multiple indicators by synchronizing them to start simultaneously. All indicators begin blinking at the same moment, creating a coordinated display pattern. This synchronization makes it easier for users to compare different connection parts and understand their relative charging speeds, as the blinking occurs in unison rather than independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If charging units operate continuously without temperature monitoring, then productivity is maintained, but electrical components may overheat and require charging stops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging continuityVSAvoidelectrical component temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements temperature monitoring for each charging unit and uses this feedback to control indicator blinking patterns. When a charging unit's temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, its indicator blinks slowly to warn users. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain continuous operation while providing real-time temperature information, enabling users to select cooler charging units and prevent overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2701271B1charger
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 MAKITA CORP
  • EP2701271B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2701271B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2701271B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A charger (10) of the present invention may include a plurality of battery connection parts (12) to which battery packs (60) can be connected to charge, with each battery connection part (12) having an indicator (21, 22, 23, 24). The indicators (21, 22, 23, 24) may be configured such that when charging is expected to be completed more quickly in a first battery connection part (12) compared to a second battery connection part (12), the indicator (21, 22, 23, 24) of the first battery connection part (12) is displayed differently from the indicator (21, 22, 23, 24) of the second battery connection part (12).