Multiple Terminal Constellations for Conductive Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive charging technologies face challenges in harsh environments like garages and construction sites due to dirty contacts and are limited by low voltage requirements for safety, which restrict the charging of higher voltage and capacity battery packs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiple terminal constellations on battery packs for redundancy and voltage/amperage division, allowing for efficient charging by duplicating ball tip sets and splitting voltage across multiple contact points, reducing the risk of faulty charging and enabling safe charging of higher voltage packs without increasing charge time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple terminal constellations are implemented on battery packs, then reliability of charging is improved through redundancy and voltage division, but device complexity increases due to additional terminal sets and switching circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack terminals are segmented into multiple separate constellations (first set and second set of terminal constellations), each capable of independent charging. This segmentation provides redundancy and allows voltage division, where each constellation handles a portion of the total voltage, thereby improving reliability without requiring a complete redesign of the charging interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack is designed with universal charging capability through multiple terminal constellations that can operate independently or in combination. Each constellation can serve as a complete charging interface, providing multi-functionality that enhances reliability while maintaining compatibility with standard charging pads through the use of common ball tip geometries.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If low voltage charging pads are used to ensure user safety, then safety is improved, but the ability to charge higher voltage and capacity battery packs deteriorates due to limited voltage differential and amperage
Solution Approach 1:
High voltage battery packs are segmented into multiple terminal constellations that distribute the voltage across several contact points. Each constellation operates at a lower voltage level consistent with safety requirements, while the combined system handles the total high voltage required for fast charging of large capacity batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system transitions from a single-dimension voltage approach to a multi-dimensional approach by using multiple terminal constellations arranged in spatial distribution. This allows the system to maintain low voltage at each contact point (safety dimension) while achieving high total power through parallel connections (power dimension).
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 reliable charging in dirty or harsh environments and safely handles higher voltage packs by providing redundancy and voltage division, reducing the risk of faulty connections and maintaining low voltage surfaces for safety.
Implementation Method 1
conductive charging with multiple terminal constellations... relies on the contact between small metallic ball tips on a battery and charged metallic strips on a charger
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for charging battery packs is provided. The system and method provides constellation/dots style conductive charging having multiple terminal constellations for one or both of providing redundancy in the case of dirty or non-working contacts and providing a voltage/amperage divide for handling higher voltage and/or increased capacity battery packs.