Offset Battery Holder Structure for Protected PCB Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices, such as HVAC controllers, face challenges with ease of use, assembly, construction, and reliability due to susceptibility to electrostatic discharge (ESD) and internal heat sources affecting temperature sensing accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a printed circuit board (PCB) with a grounding feature, a conductive extender or connector to ground metal-backed electronic components, and a spacer to dissipate heat and protect against ESD, along with a battery seat region for easy battery installation and removal, and uses multiple temperature compensation models to accurately sense ambient temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery seat region is laterally offset from the opening, then the battery is protected by the housing when positioned at the battery seat region, but the battery installation and removal process becomes more complex requiring housing adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure performs self-adjustment through its flexible wall design. When the battery is inserted through the opening, the housing walls automatically move laterally to position the battery in the offset battery seat region, and automatically return to cover the battery when the battery is removed. This eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the walls can move laterally. This dynamic behavior allows the housing to adapt its configuration during battery installation and removal, enabling the offset battery seat design to remain user-friendly despite the lateral offset providing protection.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature compensation models are used, then temperature sensing accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores multiple temperature compensation models during manufacturing or initial setup. These models are prepared in advance for different operating conditions, allowing the processor to simply select and apply the appropriate pre-computed model rather than performing complex real-time calculations, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining high accuracy.
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
This configuration enhances the reliability and accuracy of electronic devices by effectively grounding components to prevent ESD damage, improving assembly ease, and ensuring precise temperature sensing despite internal heat sources.
Implementation Method 1
susceptibility to electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Implementation Method 2
a conductive extender or connector to ground metal-backed electronic components
Implementation Method 3
a spacer to dissipate heat and protect against ESD
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) controller may include a housing and a printed circuit board (PCB) situated within the housing. The PCB may include a battery seat region and electrical terminals for electrically connecting a battery to the PCB when the battery is positioned at the battery seat region. The housing may include an opening that may be configured to receive the battery. The battery seat region may be at least partially offset relative to the opening in the housing, but accessible via the opening. The housing may be configured to allow the battery to be inserted into the opening and then moved laterally to the battery seat region, where the battery may be at least partially covered and/or protected by the housing when at the battery seat region. In some cases, the battery may be inserted within the housing without adjusting any part of the housing.