A battery compartment, an electronically driven dispensing unit and a dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery compartments for electronically driven dispensing units, particularly in hygiene products, are difficult to load due to spring action requirements and lack of clear polarity indicators, making them challenging for users with limited dexterity or vision, and there is a need for a design that ensures hygiene by separating handling of articles from machinery.
Innovation Solution
A battery compartment with a fixed first structure and a rotatable battery holding unit, allowing batteries to be easily loaded by gravity and connected via electrical bridges, with clear polarity indicators and a secure locking mechanism to prevent misalignment and short-circuiting, facilitating intuitive and hygienic battery replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring action is used to secure batteries in the compartment, then battery connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in loading batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-loaded in the closed position, storing elastic potential energy. When the battery holding unit is opened, the spring automatically pushes the batteries into electrical contact with the connections, eliminating the need for manual spring compression during battery loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery holding unit transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic open position, allowing easy battery insertion. The spring provides dynamic automatic engagement when the unit is closed, adapting the system's behavior to user needs during operation.
2Ease of operation
If polarity markings are made visible in the compartment, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Polarity information is transferred from the interior surface of the battery holding unit to the exterior surface of the dispenser housing. This dimensional relocation allows users to see polarity markings without opening the compartment, eliminating the need for complex transparent windows or internal lighting while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If batteries are freely movable in the loading direction, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-compressed in the closed position, creating a cushioning force that automatically guides batteries into proper alignment during insertion. This pre-loaded spring absorbs positioning errors and ensures reliable electrical contact without requiring precise manual alignment from the user.
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
The solution simplifies battery loading and ensures secure, intuitive handling, maintaining electrical contact while preventing short-circuits, allowing for easy access and secure closure, enhancing user experience and hygiene by using gravity and clear polarity indicators.
Implementation Method 1
loaded batteries are connected to the first and second electrical connections via spring action and movement of the batteries in the loading direction
Implementation Method 2
receive at least two cylindrical batteries side by side
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a battery compartment (1) for an electronically driven dispensing unit (2). The battery compartment (1) comprises an electronic unit (3) and a battery holding unit (5) having a fixed second structure (6) adapted to receive and contain at least two cylindrical batteries (7) side by side. The first structure (4) comprises a first electrical connection (8) and the second structure (6) comprises a second electrical connection (9) positioned opposite each other. The second structure (6) is rotatably connected to the first structure (4) via a joint (10) allowing rotation between a first open position (11) in which the batteries (7) are loaded or unloaded in the battery holding unit (5) and a closed position (12) in which loaded batteries (7) are connected to the first and second electrical connections (8, 9) via spring action and movement of the batteries in the loading direction (R, Z).