Tool-less SLI Battery Charging Base with Integrated Circuitry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional battery charging systems are cumbersome and time-consuming, often requiring lead cables for charging and do not ensure that batteries are fully charged at the point of purchase, leading to potential functional issues when used in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with a base unit and charging unit that allows for tool-less engagement, featuring conductive terminal posts and charging circuitry capable of converting primary power into a suitable battery power output for charging, integrated with a point-of-sale display system to ensure batteries are charged and displayed at a full level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional lead cable charging is used, then charging can be performed, but the charging process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is divided into separate functional modules: a base unit with terminal posts, a battery unit with conductive terminals, and a charging unit with integrated circuitry. This segmentation allows the charging mechanism to be pre-assembled and ready-to-use, eliminating the need for manual cable connections during charging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging unit incorporates automatic charging circuitry that detects when a battery unit is properly engaged with the base unit and automatically initiates charging. The system self-regulates the charging process without requiring user intervention or manual cable connection, making the charging operation self-service and eliminating time loss.
2Productivity
If batteries are stored on display shelves before purchase, then they are accessible to customers, but they may become depleted and non-functional
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit with integrated charging circuitry continuously charges battery units while they are displayed on shelves. This preliminary charging action ensures that batteries reach full charge before purchase, eliminating the risk of depleted batteries being sold to customers and ensuring both availability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system operates continuously while batteries are on display, maintaining constant charging current to keep batteries at optimal charge levels. This continuous useful action ensures batteries remain reliable and functional throughout their display period, preventing depletion before purchase.
3Ease of operation
If lead cables are used for charging, then charging can be performed, but the connection process is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The charging unit merges the base unit, charging circuitry, and power supply into a single integrated device. The conductive terminals on the battery unit directly engage with terminal posts on the base unit, eliminating the need for separate lead cables and reducing system complexity while improving connection ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system extracts and eliminates the unnecessary lead cable component from the charging process. By providing direct conductive terminals on both the battery unit and base unit, the system removes the intermediate cable connection step, simplifying the overall device and making connections easier and more reliable.
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 system reduces the need for lead cables, ensures batteries are fully charged at the point of sale, and allows for easy charging and decoupling without tools, minimizing the risk of purchasing uncharged batteries.
Implementation Method 1
charging circuitry adapted to receive primary power, to convert the primary power to a battery power output suitable for charging the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A charger for a starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI) battery is provided. The charger includes a base unit having a pair of terminals that are adapted to engage a pair of conductive terminals coupled to a battery unit to electrically couple the base unit to the battery unit. The charger also includes charging circuitry having power conversion circuitry that is adapted to receive primary power and to convert the primary power to a battery power output compatible with a charging voltage of the battery unit.