Electronic Latching Mechanism for Stable Energy Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable electronic devices, especially VR/AR devices, face energy supply instability due to limited battery storage capacity and accidental disconnection during manual battery replacement, leading to potential system crashes and reduced operational stability.

Innovation Solution

An energy storage device with a casing, energy storage units, electronic latching components, and a control unit that detects storage capacity and engages/disengages latching mechanisms to prevent accidental disconnection, allowing continuous energy supply and easy replacement without interrupting system operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation of mechanical latching button is used for battery replacement, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental disconnection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery replacement operationVSAvoidenergy supply stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical latching button system with an electronic latching component controlled by a control unit. The control unit detects battery storage capacity and automatically engages or disengages the electronic latching component, eliminating the need for manual mechanical operation and preventing accidental disconnections while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of moving object

If replaceable battery is used to extend standby period, then duration of action is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to removal during shutdown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandby periodVSAvoidoperation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously detects the storage capacity of the battery and uses this feedback information to determine when to engage or disengage the electronic latching component. This feedback mechanism ensures the battery is only removed when the system is properly shut down and the battery is empty, preventing operational instability while extending standby period through battery replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If electronic latching component is engaged to prevent accidental disconnection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy supply stabilityVSAvoidlatching mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic latching component operates automatically based on control unit decisions regarding battery capacity and system state. The system serves itself by autonomously engaging the latching component when a battery is installed and disengaging it when the battery is empty and the system is shut down, improving reliability without requiring complex manual control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures stable energy supply to portable devices by preventing accidental battery disconnection and allowing seamless replacement, extending the operational period without interrupting data operations.

Implementation Method 1

at least one resilient component disposed inside the accommodating slot, an end of the resilient component is connected to the casing, and the other end of the resilient component contacts against the energy storage unit to provide potential energy of rejecting the energy storage unit out of the accommodating slot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The electronic latching component is disposed on a side of the accommodating slot. The control unit is electrically connected to the energy storage unit and the electronic latching component. The control unit detects storage capacity of the energy storage unit, compares the storage capacity with a threshold, and determines whether to engage the electronic latching component with the constraining structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 3

at least one recovering component disposed on the mechanical latching component and applied to generate potential energy of pushing the mechanical latching component to interfere with the blocking structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPotential energy storage: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10333345B2Energy storage device and energy management method capable of increasing stability of energy supply

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 WISTRON CORP

AI summary

An energy management method capable of increasing stability of energy supply is applied to an energy storage device. The energy storage device includes a casing, an energy storage unit, an electronic latching component and a control unit. The energy storage unit is detachably disposed inside the casing. A constraining structure is disposed on an outer surface of the energy storage unit. The electronic latching component is disposed on the casing. The control unit is electrically connected to the energy storage unit and the electronic latching component. The control unit detects storage capacity of the energy storage unit, compares the storage capacity with a threshold, and determines whether to engage the electronic latching component with the constraining structure in accordance with a comparison result, so as to constrain a movement of the energy storage unit relative to the casing.