Removable Tab Exposing Battery Top Surface for Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing aid battery tabs cover the entire top surface of the battery, making it difficult for elderly individuals with declining hand function to insert and remove batteries, leading to frequent dropping and frustration.
Innovation Solution
A removable tab design that exposes a portion of the battery's top surface, allowing for easier handling and removal by allowing a gripping region adjacent to the tab end and a battery cell attachment region with inwardly curved sidewalls, enabling consumers to apply a peel force while stabilizing the battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire top surface of the battery is covered by and adhered to the tab, then the tab facilitates handling by consumers, but inserting the battery presents handling challenges including frequent inadvertent dropping
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is segmented into two functional regions: a gripping region at the first tab end for consumer handling, and a battery cell attachment region at the second tab end adhered to the battery. This segmentation allows the consumer to grip the tab while the exposed portion of the battery top surface provides additional stability during insertion, reducing inadvertent dropping.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tab are assigned different functions: the first tab end region serves as a gripping region for handling, while the second tab end region serves as the battery cell attachment region. This local differentiation optimizes both handling ease and operational reliability by providing appropriate interaction points for different operational needs.
2Area of stationary object
If the entire top surface of the battery is covered by the tab, then the tab provides full coverage, but it makes it difficult for elderly individuals with declining hand function to insert and remove batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts a portion of the top surface coverage from the tab, leaving the battery cell attachment region partially exposed. This extraction creates a gripping region that is easier for elderly individuals to grasp and manipulate, improving insertion and removal ease while maintaining sufficient coverage through the battery cell attachment region.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the tab cover the entire top surface for maximum coverage, the invention inverts the approach by deliberately leaving a portion exposed. This exposed portion becomes a functional gripping region that facilitates easier handling for elderly individuals, demonstrating that reducing coverage in one area can improve operational ease in another.
3Ease of operation
If a removable tab design exposes a portion of the battery's top surface, then easier handling and removal is enabled, but the tab structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is divided into two main segments: a gripping region and a battery cell attachment region. This segmentation provides functional benefits for easier handling while maintaining relatively simple construction. The segmented design allows for straightforward manufacturing and assembly without introducing excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the tab, specifically the position of the second tab end inwardly away from the circumferential edge of the battery. This parameter adjustment creates the exposed battery top surface portion while maintaining a simple tab structure that is easy to manufacture and apply.
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
Facilitates easier insertion and removal of batteries by allowing direct pressure on the exposed surface, reducing accidental drops and improving user experience, especially for elderly consumers.
Implementation Method 1
The battery cell attachment region is made of an adhesive material and is adhered to the top surface of the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A battery assembly includes a battery that has a top surface surrounded by a circumferential edge; and a removable tab attached to the top surface. The removable tab includes a first tab end and an oppositely disposed second tab end; a gripping region disposed adjacent to the first tab end; and a battery cell attachment region disposed adjacent to the second tab end and attached to the top surface of the battery. The battery cell attachment region has first and second oppositely disposed sidewalls, wherein the second tab end is curved inwardly away from the circumferential edge of the battery such that a portion of the top surface of the battery is exposed between the second tab end and the circumferential edge of the battery