Retrofit Battery System for Mobile Workstation Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile workstations, especially in healthcare environments, often require costly replacements when transitioning from non-powered to powered configurations, as existing battery systems are not easily retrofitted to existing structures.
Innovation Solution
A retro-fit battery system designed to attach to a mobile workstation's upright post, featuring modular battery docking mounts and a control system for automatic switching between batteries, along with heat sink elements and venting apertures, allowing for easy installation and maintenance without specialized tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery system is permanently mounted to the post of a mobile workstation, then power supply reliability is improved, but the cost of replacing the entire system when transitioning from non-powered to powered configuration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into separate modular components: a control unit with power management circuitry and one or more removable battery packs. This segmentation allows the battery packs to be independently replaced and recharged, eliminating the need to replace the entire power system when transitioning from non-powered to powered workstation configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery packs are designed to be removable and rechargeable, allowing them to be discarded (removed from the workstation) and recovered (recharged externally) rather than being permanently installed. This enables cost-effective replacement by recharging individual battery packs rather than replacing the entire power system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If battery docking brackets are permanently integrated into the workstation structure, then power connection stability is improved, but adaptability to different workstation configurations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can accommodate different workstation post configurations. The power management circuitry and docking interface are standardized to work with various battery pack types and workstation structures, enabling the same control unit to be adapted to different workstation configurations without requiring custom integration for each setup.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple battery docking mounts are provided for hot-swapping capability, then continuous power supply is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses separate, modular battery packs that can be independently managed and replaced. Each battery pack is a self-contained unit with its own terminals and housing, allowing simple hot-swapping operations without complex integration requirements. The control unit manages multiple docks through standardized interfaces, maintaining simplicity while enabling continuous power supply.
4Reliability
If heat sink elements are added to manage battery thermal output, then battery performance reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink elements are integrated directly into the battery pack housing structure rather than being separate components. The housing itself serves dual functions: protecting the battery cells and providing thermal management through incorporated heat dissipation features. This merging of structural and thermal management functions adds reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
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
Enables the cost-effective retrofitting of battery systems to existing mobile workstations, ensuring continuous power supply and reducing electronic waste by allowing for the automatic switching of batteries and efficient heat management.
Implementation Method 1
One or more heat sink elements may be provided on an internal wall of at least one body section so that, when in the closed position, the heat sink elements will be close to, or touch, a post around which the system is located in use
Implementation Method 2
A venting aperture extending from the interior to the exterior is provided. The at least one venting aperture may be angled so as to extend upwardly from the interior to the exterior
Data Source
AI summary
A retro-fit battery system for attachment to a mobile workstation having a generally upright post. The battery system includes a main body shaped so as to locate around at least part of the perimeter of a generally upright post and having a removable attachment to the post, wherein the main body further includes at least one battery docking mount to which a battery can be detachably connected, an electrical outlet and a control system for providing electrical energy from the battery to the electrical outlet.