Personal Hygiene Device Battery Control for Deep Discharge Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal hygiene devices do not effectively communicate low energy storage levels to users, leading to unexpected device shutdowns and potential deep discharge of batteries.
Innovation Solution
A personal hygiene device with a control unit that gradually reduces energy levels from a nominal to a reduced level when the battery falls below a certain threshold, allowing continued use while signaling to the user that recharging is needed, and further reduces to zero if the level falls below a second threshold to prevent deep discharge, with features like pulse width modulation and indicator elements for notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive unit is reduced to zero speed immediately when low battery state is detected, then battery deep discharge is prevented, but user experience deteriorates due to unexpected shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary action by gradually reducing the drive unit speed before complete shutdown. When battery charge falls below the first threshold, the system transitions to a reduced speed mode, allowing users to complete their tasks before the battery fully depletes. This gradual transition prevents abrupt shutdowns while still protecting against deep discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the drive unit speed variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the speed based on real-time battery charge levels, creating a smooth transition from normal operation to reduced operation to shutdown. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining usability while preventing battery damage.
2Loss of energy
If the device shuts down completely when battery level drops below threshold, then energy is conserved, but information loss occurs as users are not alerted to low battery status
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements feedback by continuously monitoring battery charge levels and providing information to the user through the display unit. When charge falls below the first threshold, the system displays a low battery warning message, informing users of the battery status without shutting down. This feedback mechanism prevents energy loss while maintaining information availability.
3Productivity
If the drive unit operates at nominal power until battery threshold is reached, then productivity is maintained, but battery life is reduced due to lack of gradual power reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit takes preliminary action by detecting when battery charge approaches the first threshold and proactively reducing power consumption before the threshold is reached. This gradual power reduction extends battery life by preventing the rapid depletion that would occur if nominal power was maintained until the threshold. The system preserves productivity by allowing continued operation at reduced speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A personal hygiene device has a drive unit, an energy storage, such as a rechargeable battery, a determination unit for repeatedly or constantly determining an energy storage level of the energy storage, and a control unit arranged for providing energy from the energy storage at the drive unit during an on state of the device and for gradually reducing the energy level from a nominal energy level to a first reduced energy level during a first energy level reduction time period when the determined energy storage level has fallen below a first energy storage level threshold but is above a second energy storage level threshold and for continuing provision of the first reduced energy level while the device stays in an on state and the determined energy storage level stays above the second energy storage level threshold.