Series-Parallel Battery Pack Switching for Cordless Vacuum Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum cleaners with battery packs face limitations in mobility due to cord constraints and require complex circuits for high suction power, and there is a need for a solution that allows convenient charging and discharging of battery assemblies while ensuring safety and stability.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner design featuring a detachable battery assembly with a switching mechanism that connects battery units in parallel for charging and in series for discharging, using a battery management unit to control the switching mechanism, allowing for high voltage discharging and simplifying the circuit structure for high-power suction motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a cord reel assembly is used to supply power to the cleaner body, then the cleaner can receive power, but the cleaner's mobility is limited to the length of the cord
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply system from the fixed cord reel assembly and relocates it to a detachable battery pack that can be freely positioned and recharged, eliminating the mobility constraint imposed by cord length while maintaining continuous power supply capability
2Power
If battery units are connected in series to achieve high voltage for high-power suction motor, then suction force increases, but charging becomes difficult and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switching mechanism that automatically changes the battery connection configuration from series to parallel during charging, and from parallel to series during discharging, allowing the system to adapt its electrical characteristics to the operational requirements and eliminating the fixed trade-off between power and charging safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical connection parameter (series/parallel configuration) of the battery units based on operational mode, transforming the system from a static to a dynamic parameter state that optimizes both power output and charging safety under different conditions
3Ease of operation
If a detachable battery assembly is used to improve mobility, then the cleaner can move freely, but the circuit structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal switching mechanism integrated into the battery pack that handles both charging and discharging operations through a single device, eliminating the need for separate circuit paths and reducing overall system complexity despite the detachable configuration
4Power
If a switching mechanism is added to enable parallel/series battery configuration, then high voltage discharging is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the switching mechanism with the battery management unit and integrates it into the battery pack housing, combining multiple functions (switching, management, housing) into a single integrated structure that reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture
Data Source
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AI summary
A vacuum includes a cleaner body including a suction motor for generating suction force, a suction part communicating with the cleaner body and suctioning air and dust, and a battery assembly for supplying a power to the suction motor. The battery assembly includes a battery unit, a battery terminal, a switch for connecting or disconnecting the battery unit and the battery terminal, and a battery case for accommodating the battery unit. The cleaner body includes a body supporting the battery assembly and a switching operation part for operating the switch when the battery assembly is mounted on the cleaner body.