Rotatable Battery Pack Connector for Delayed Cell Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional battery packs suffer from self-discharging and degradation due to being fully assembled and operational at the factory, leading to energy loss and reduced battery life, and configurable connectors are prone to loss or damage.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a rotatable connector that enables electrical connections between battery cells, allowing the pack to be non-functional until activated by the user, eliminating the need for separate parts and reducing environmental damage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery pack is fully assembled and operational at the factory, then the user can immediately use the battery pack without setup, but the battery pack suffers from self-discharging and energy loss during storage and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is prepared in advance with all components installed (battery cells, connector, housing), but the electrical connection is deliberately left open during storage. The user completes the final action of rotating the connector to establish electrical connection when ready to use, thus combining preliminary preparation with delayed activation to prevent self-discharging during storage while maintaining ease of use.
2Ease of operation
If the battery pack is fully assembled and operational at the factory, then the user can immediately use the battery pack without setup, but the battery life degrades due to continuous operational state
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is pre-assembled with all components in place, but the electrical circuit remains open during storage and transport. The user performs the final action of rotating the connector to close the circuit when ready to use. This preliminary preparation combined with delayed activation prevents battery life degradation while maintaining user convenience.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configurable connectors are designed as separate components, then the electrical connections can be controlled, but the connectors are prone to loss, damage, or unavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The configurable connector is integrated into the battery pack housing as a built-in component rather than a separate accessory. The rotatable connector is mechanically coupled to the housing and electrically connects the battery cells when rotated to the operational position. This integration eliminates the risk of the connector being lost or damaged separately, while maintaining the ability to control electrical connections.
4Loss of energy
If the battery pack is manufactured in a non-functional state, then energy loss and battery life degradation are prevented, but the user requires an extra setup step before use
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is pre-assembled with all components (battery cells, connector, housing, latching mechanism) in their final positions, but the electrical connection is left open. The user completes the final preliminary action of rotating the connector to establish electrical connection when ready to use. This approach minimizes the setup step to a simple rotational motion while preventing energy loss during storage.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack comprising a frame and two or more battery cells installed to the frame. The two or more battery cells are interconnected by a rotatable connector which is configured to enable electrical connections between the two or more battery cells. The rotatable connector is adapted to be switched between at least a first rotational position in which the two or more battery cells being electrically connected, and a second rotational position, in which the two or more battery cells being not electrically connected. When the user actuates the knob on the battery pack, the connecting terminals change their rotational positions from a non-conducting position to a conducting position, thereby enabling the electrical connections between the groups of battery cells.