Oscillating Circuit for Battery Connector Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery connector systems are prone to accidental connections between pads, leading to discharge, electrolysis, and deterioration, especially due to parasitic conductances like humidity, which can result in false detection and equipment malfunction.

Innovation Solution

An oscillating circuit is integrated between the battery and equipment connectors, ensuring that only a complete connection activates the safety circuit, preventing parasitic conductances from causing electrolysis or false detections by using capacitive links that only transmit current when the oscillator is operational.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the connector pads are energized permanently or periodically to detect equipment presence, then equipment presence detection is enabled, but electrolysis and deterioration of the pads occur due to parasitic conductances like humidity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment presence detectionVSAvoidelectrolysis and pad deterioration
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using an oscillating circuit that operates only during specific periods when equipment is properly connected. The circuit oscillates at a defined frequency only when the complete connection path exists, thereby enabling detection without continuous energization that would cause electrolysis. The periodic oscillation allows detection while minimizing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of electrical state from continuous DC energization to AC oscillation at a specific frequency. By transforming the detection mechanism from steady-state voltage/current to frequency-based oscillation detection, the system can distinguish between parasitic conductances (which cannot sustain oscillation) and proper equipment connections (which complete the oscillating circuit).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a safety circuit is introduced to prevent accidental connections, then protection against discharge and electrolysis is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against accidental dischargeVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the detection function and safety function into a single integrated oscillating circuit system. The same oscillating circuit that detects equipment presence also serves as the safety mechanism by preventing current flow unless oscillation is detected. This eliminates the need for separate detection and safety circuits, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The oscillating circuit serves itself dual purposes: it detects equipment presence and simultaneously provides safety protection. The circuit's own oscillation state indicates both detection and safety conditions, eliminating the need for additional dedicated safety components and reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively prevents accidental discharge and electrolysis, ensuring reliable detection and connection between the battery and equipment while maintaining the integrity of the connector pads.

Implementation Method 1

using capacitive links that only transmit current when the oscillator is operational

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

An oscillating circuit is integrated between the battery and equipment connectors, ensuring that only a complete connection activates the safety circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOscillation: Harmonic Oscillator

Implementation Method 3

preventing parasitic conductances from causing electrolysis or false detections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrolysis prevention: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2543092B1Assembly including an electric apparatus and a power supply battery sharing an oscillating circuit
Publication Date: 2014.09.24 SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE SAS
  • EP2543092B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2543092B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly including an electric apparatus (100) and a battery (1) for supplying power to the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a frame (101) having a housing (102) for the battery and a connector leading into the housing, and the battery comprising a casing (2) containing at least one electrical energy accumulation element (3), an external coupling connector (6) connected by at least two conductors (4, 5) to the accumulation element, and a safety circuit to be actuated by means of being coupled to an oscillating circuit shared by the battery and the apparatus.