Cylindrical Charging Dock with Rotatable Cover Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-charge battery chargers are bulky, inconvenient for portable use, and require effort to place and retrieve rechargeable batteries, limiting their efficiency and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A compact charging dock with movable cover plates that switch between closed and open configurations, allowing for easy battery installation and removal, and a lock mechanism for secure charging, enabling simultaneous charging of multiple batteries in a compact cylindrical design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If existing multi-charge battery chargers use a flat design with batteries installed side by side, then multiple batteries can be charged simultaneously, but the charger becomes bulky and inconvenient for portable use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing one battery vertically inside the hollow cylindrical structure formed by another battery. The inner battery is positioned within the hollow space of the outer battery, allowing two batteries to occupy a compact vertical space rather than requiring horizontal side-by-side placement. This nested arrangement reduces the overall charger volume while maintaining the capability to charge multiple batteries simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional horizontal side-by-side battery arrangement to a vertical stacking configuration. By utilizing the vertical dimension and creating a hollow cylindrical structure, the design packs batteries more efficiently in three-dimensional space. The inner battery is positioned at a different vertical level within the outer battery's hollow space, enabling multi-battery charging in a compact footprint suitable for portable use.
2Quantity of substance
If existing multi-charge battery chargers use a flat design, then multiple batteries can be charged, but it requires effort to place and retrieve rechargeable batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotatable cover plate mechanism that can pivot between a closed position (covering the battery insertion opening) and an open position (providuring access). This dynamic element allows users to easily access the battery insertion area by simply rotating the cover plate, eliminating the need to manually manipulate or disassemble fixed structures to place or retrieve batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The charger is divided into functional segments including a rotatable cover plate, a hollow cylindrical body, and an inner battery positioning structure. The cover plate can be independently rotated to provide access, while the inner battery can be separately positioned and secured. This segmentation allows for easy maintenance, battery replacement, and operation without requiring the entire structure to be manipulated.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact cylindrical design is used for the charging dock, then portability is improved, but secure locking mechanisms are needed to prevent battery dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-locking mechanism where the inner battery's positioning structure automatically engages with the hollow cylindrical body when the battery is inserted. The spring-loaded or elastic positioning elements automatically secure the inner battery in place without requiring separate manual locking actions. This self-service locking approach maintains the compact design while ensuring battery security, avoiding the need for complex external locking mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging dock is provided. The charging dock includes: a main body; a charging unit disposed with the main body; and a plurality of cover plates. The charging unit includes a plurality of battery sockets. Each cover plate corresponds to one of the plurality of battery sockets. Each cover plate is movably connected to the main body. And each cover plate is switchable between a closed configuration covering the corresponding battery socket and an open configuration exposing the corresponding battery socket. Further, a charging assembly is provided. The charging assembly includes the forgoing charging dock and a rechargeable battery configured to be mounted on one of the plurality of cover plates in the open configuration, and plugged into the corresponding battery socket.