Modular Battery Compartment with Integrated Communication Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery compartments in laser range finders lack modular design for communication modules, leading to increased costs and complexity in integrating communication standards, and do not provide adequate protection against environmental factors like moisture and dust.

Innovation Solution

A modular battery compartment with integrated communication electronics, including a communication module that can be easily swapped, providing IP54 protection and supporting various communication standards like Bluetooth or WLAN, while using the battery compartment's space for both energy storage and communication components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If communication modules are integrated into the laser range finder housing, then communication functionality is provided, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery compartment is designed as a separable module that can be removed from the housing. Communication modules are integrated into this removable battery compartment rather than the permanent housing, allowing the communication functionality to be segmented and easily exchanged without affecting the main device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery compartment is made dynamically replaceable, allowing users to swap between different communication module versions (e.g., Bluetooth, WLAN) as needed. This dynamic configuration enables the device to adapt to different communication requirements without permanently increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If communication modules are integrated into the laser range finder, then communication standards can be supported, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication standards supportVSAvoidmanufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Communication modules are segmented into separate replaceable units within the battery compartment. This allows manufacturers to produce base units without communication modules (lower cost) and add communication modules only when needed, or produce different communication module versions separately and assemble them as required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery compartment is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different types of communication modules. A single battery compartment design can support multiple communication standards by simply replacing the module, reducing the need for multiple specialized housing designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the battery compartment is made separable for easy battery access, then ease of operation improves, but protection against environmental factors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery accessVSAvoidprotection against moisture and dust
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A closure element acts as an intermediary between the separable battery compartment and the housing. This closure element creates a sealing interface that prevents moisture and dust ingress while still allowing the battery compartment to be removed for battery access. The sealing mechanism mediates between the conflicting requirements of separability and environmental protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2659530B1Battery casing with communication interface and measuring device with the battery casing
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2659530B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2659530B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2659530B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a battery compartment (18) of an electrical appliance (10), in particular of a hand held distance finder for reversible introduction into the electrical appliance (10), having at least one holder (26) for an energy storage element (23), and having at least one contact element (78, 80) for the battery compartment (18) to make electrical contact with the appliance. The invention proposes that an interface (85, 86) be provided for communication with an external application in the battery compartment (18). The invention furthermore relates to an electrical appliance, in particular a handheld distance finder, having at least one such battery compartment.