Battery Charger Locking Bay for Theft-Resistant Pack Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery chargers lack secure mechanisms to prevent unauthorized removal or theft of high-power battery packs, which are critical for powering heavy-duty tools and equipment.
Innovation Solution
The charger incorporates a lock mechanism with a retractable member that extends into the charging bay, actuated by an electric actuator or user interface, and includes a wireless transceiver for remote communication, ensuring secure locking and unlocking of battery packs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock mechanism with retractable member is added to the charger, then security against unauthorized removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is integrated within the charger housing, with the retractable member nested inside the charging bay structure. The lock projection and aperture are embedded in the housing, creating a compact nested arrangement that provides security without significantly increasing external dimensions or visual complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically biases the retractable member into the locked position, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The mechanism serves itself by using spring force to maintain security, reducing the need for external actuation components.
2Ease of operation
If an electric actuator is used to extend the lock member, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric actuator replaces manual mechanical operation (such as manual lever manipulation or key turning) with electrical actuation. This substitution provides easier and more precise control of the lock member extension and retraction, while the spring mechanism handles the return motion, dividing the energy requirements between electrical and mechanical systems.
3Reliability
If the retractable member extends transverse to the battery path, then security effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member extends in a direction transverse to the battery insertion path, utilizing a different spatial dimension for the locking action. This dimensional change allows the lock to effectively block battery removal without interfering with the longitudinal battery insertion/extraction motion, providing security through orthogonal movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock member's extension direction is asymmetric relative to the battery path, creating a non-interfering geometric relationship between the locking mechanism and battery handling operations. This asymmetric arrangement ensures the lock effectively secures the battery while maintaining smooth battery insertion and removal capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
A charger for use with a battery pack having a latch. The charger comprises a charging bay defining a battery path and a lock including a member retractably extending into the charging bay transverse to the battery path. The member is positioned to overlap with the latch in the battery path regardless of a position of the latch lateral to the path direction.