Dual RTC Battery Holder With Vertical Stacking on PCB
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a battery retention solution that increases the battery life of computing devices without increasing the surface area of the printed circuit board (PCB) and ensures safety compliance by securely housing Real-Time Clock (RTC) batteries, while also being cost-effective and obscuring the batteries from view to prevent easy removal by children.
Innovation Solution
A dual RTC battery holder that stacks two RTC batteries vertically atop the PCB, secured by a dual-latch protection system, with each battery housed in a separate compartment that includes an interior retaining lip and an exterior fastener for secure closure, ensuring electrical contact through extended terminal portions, thus maintaining a minimal PCB surface area and adhering to safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If two RTC batteries are placed in parallel to increase battery life, then the current delivery capability is enhanced, but the surface area of the PCB required for mounting the batteries increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar PCB mounting arrangement to a three-dimensional vertical stacking configuration. Two battery holders are stacked one above the other, with batteries oriented perpendicular to the PCB surface. This vertical arrangement allows two batteries to be mounted in parallel while occupying minimal PCB surface area, effectively resolving the contradiction between extended battery life and PCB space constraints.
2Ease of operation
If RTC batteries are made easily accessible for user replacement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety compliance is compromised due to risk of easy removal by children
Solution Approach 1:
The battery retention system is segmented into two functional components: an interior retaining lip that provides initial battery retention, and an exterior fastener that provides secondary security. This segmentation allows the interior lip to maintain ease of operation for authorized users while the exterior fastener adds a security layer to prevent unauthorized access by children, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and safety compliance.
3Reliability
If a secure closure system is added to obscure and protect batteries, then the safety compliance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior fastener is merged with the battery holder structure itself, forming an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. The fastener is molded as part of the battery holder assembly, combining the functions of battery retention and security closure into a single unified structure. This merging approach enhances safety compliance while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual real-time clock battery power unit may comprise a top battery housing for retaining a first battery, having an exterior fastener arm for partially inserting beneath an exterior fastener lip of a bottom battery housing for retaining a second battery when the top and bottom battery housings are in a closed clamshell configuration. A positive terminal for contacting a second battery positive surface, and a bottom negative terminal for contacting a second battery negative surface may be mounted within the bottom battery housing. A top negative terminal may be mounted within the top battery housing to contact a first battery negative surface. The top and bottom battery housings may be operably connected to form the closed clamshell configuration disposing the bottom battery housing between the top battery housing and a printed circuit board (PCB), and electrically coupling the PCB to the top and bottom batteries, forming a parallel circuit.