Expandable Battery Compartment with Movable Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery compartments in portable devices are limited to accommodating only one specific battery size, restricting the use of different battery sizes in various portable electrical devices.
Innovation Solution
An expandable battery compartment with a cylindrical recess and a releasable cover, featuring positionable electrical contact elements on the cover to accommodate batteries of varying sizes, allowing for adjustable size configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a battery compartment is designed to accommodate a specific battery size, then the structural design is simple and reliable, but the adaptability to different battery sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The battery compartment employs a movable electrical contact element that can be repositioned along the cover to accommodate different battery sizes. The contact element's position is adjusted based on the battery length, allowing the same compartment structure to adapt to multiple battery dimensions without requiring multiple fixed-configured compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery compartment is divided into functional segments: a fixed cylindrical recess providing structural containment, a movable cover with electrical contact elements for electrical connection, and an adjustable contact element that can be positioned at different locations along the cover to match different battery lengths, thereby achieving adaptability through segmentation.
2Ease of operation
If a battery compartment is designed with fixed electrical contact elements, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the ease of operation for different battery sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing users to adjust its position along the cover to match different battery sizes. This dynamic adjustment capability enhances ease of operation while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process compared to designing multiple fixed compartments for different battery types.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery compartment is designed as a universal structure that can accommodate multiple battery sizes through the adjustable contact element. The same compartment and cover assembly serve multiple functions by simply repositioning the contact element, eliminating the need for separate compartments for different battery types and simplifying manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
In a battery-powered electrical device, an expandable battery compartment for accommodating batteries of varying size, and a method for altering the size of the battery compartment, is disclosed. The battery compartment includes a battery casing defining a substantially cylindrical recess for at least partially encapsulating a battery. The recess has an open end for receiving a battery and a closed end. A first electrical contact element is positioned on or adjacent the closed end of the recess for contacting a terminal of a battery. A cover is configured to be releasably mounted to the open end of the recess for selectively concealing the open end and defining the battery compartment. A second electrical contact element is provided for contacting an opposing terminal of the battery. The second electrical contact element is selectively positionable at multiple locations on the cover to accommodate batteries of varying size within the battery compartment.