Wireless Mouse Battery Swap Design for Continuous Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wireless computer peripherals face interruptions due to battery depletion, require wired charging, and have limited battery life, failing to balance weight, battery life, and user preferences, necessitating innovative power management solutions.
Innovation Solution
A hot-swappable battery system for wireless mice with a battery compartment, removable batteries, a keep-alive battery, and a docking station for charging, featuring a power management system that seamlessly switches between power sources and supports interchangeable batteries of varying capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a larger battery is used to extend battery life, then the duration of action is improved, but the weight of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple separate battery units that can be individually removed and replaced. Instead of using one large battery, the system uses multiple smaller batteries (e.g., two AA or AAA batteries) that can be independently swapped. This segmentation allows users to carry multiple lightweight battery units rather than one heavy large-capacity battery, resolving the contradiction between extended battery life and device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery configuration is made dynamic through the hot-swappable mechanism. Users can change battery capacity on-demand by selecting different battery types (AA vs AAA) or carrying multiple battery units. The system transitions from a static fixed battery to a dynamic reconfigurable power source, allowing optimization between weight and duration based on immediate needs without compromising either parameter permanently.
2Reliability
If traditional battery replacement is used, then the device can be recharged, but operation is interrupted requiring pausing of work or gaming
Solution Approach 1:
Users prepare multiple pre-charged battery units in advance and store them in the peripheral device or nearby. When one battery depletes, a pre-charged replacement is already available, eliminating the need to pause operations for charging. The preliminary preparation of backup batteries ensures continuous operation without interruption, resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The hot-swappable battery system enables continuous useful action by allowing instantaneous battery replacement without powering down the device. The peripheral maintains power continuity through seamless battery swaps, ensuring that work or gaming sessions proceed without interruption. This continuous operation capability resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliability and avoiding time loss from pauses.
3Ease of manufacture
If disposable batteries are used, then the device can be replaced quickly, but environmental harm increases and ongoing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables recovery and reuse of rechargeable batteries instead of discarding disposable ones. Users can repeatedly charge and reuse the same battery units, significantly reducing waste. The hot-swappable mechanism maintains the simplicity of quick replacement while transforming the disposable model into a reusable model, resolving the contradiction between ease of replacement and environmental harm.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If rechargeable batteries are used, then environmental harm is reduced, but battery capacity degrades over time requiring full device replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into replaceable units, separating the battery component from the main device. When rechargeable batteries degrade after extended use, users can replace only the battery units rather than the entire device. This segmentation extends the overall device longevity by allowing independent battery replacement, resolving the contradiction between reducing environmental harm through rechargeable batteries and maintaining device reliability over time.
5Duration of action of moving object
If users prioritize extended battery life, then duration of action is improved, but device weight increases reducing maneuverability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts battery capacity to user needs through hot-swappable units. Users can switch between different battery configurations (e.g., AA for extended life, AAA for lighter weight) based on the specific task at hand. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction between battery life and maneuverability by allowing optimization for either parameter depending on immediate requirements rather than being fixed to one compromise configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A hot-swappable battery system for computer peripherals includes a wireless mouse having a battery compartment, a battery connector assembly mounted within the battery compartment, a removable battery configured to be inserted into and ejected from the battery connector assembly, a keep-alive battery mounted within the wireless mouse, and a docking station. The battery connector assembly includes electrical contacts and a push-push ejector mechanism. The keep-alive battery is electrically connected to provide backup power when the removable battery is removed. The docking station has a battery slot configured to receive and charge the removable battery when not in use in the wireless mouse. The system enables continuous operation of the wireless mouse while battery swapping between the mouse and docking station.