Sliding-Groove Battery Interface for Compact Terminal Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing battery pack terminals in prior art designs occupy a significant amount of space, leading to an inconvenient and bulky structure, which increases the size of both the battery pack and external devices, making them difficult to use and carry.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a compact electrical interface with sliding grooves and terminals that are partially accommodated within these grooves, allowing for efficient use of space without compromising wiring, and featuring elastic contact portions for stable engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If battery pack terminals are arranged in a conventional layout, then electrical connection is achieved, but the structure becomes bulky and size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is partially received in the sliding groove, with the contact portion nested within the groove structure and the engaging portion extending outward. This nesting arrangement allows the terminal to utilize the groove space, reducing overall structure size while maintaining electrical connection functionality and wiring accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal structure transitions from a conventional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration utilizing the sliding groove depth. By extending the terminal into the groove dimension, the design reduces the footprint on the circuit board while maintaining external engagement capability, thus reducing battery pack size without compromising wiring convenience.
2Device complexity
If battery pack terminals are arranged in a conventional layout, then electrical connection is achieved, but the structure is not compact
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding groove structure merges the terminal accommodation function with the mechanical engagement function. The groove both receives and secures the terminal while providing the sliding engagement mechanism, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and reducing overall electrical interface size while improving structural compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal is nested within the sliding groove structure, with the contact portion housed in the groove and the engaging portion extending outward for external device connection. This nesting reduces the electrical interface footprint while maintaining structural compactness and engagement functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If terminals are partially accommodated in sliding grooves, then space is utilized efficiently and structure is compact, but engagement mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding groove structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it accommodates the terminal contact portion, provides mechanical engagement through sliding action, and guides the insertion motion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, making the engagement mechanism simpler despite the compact nested arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding groove enables dynamic engagement through a simple linear sliding motion, allowing the terminal to move from an inserted position to an engaged position. This dynamic mechanism is simpler than fixed or multi-step engagement systems, reducing complexity while achieving compact space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a first electrical interface arranged on one of a battery pack and an external device. The battery pack is engaged to the external device. The first electrical interface includes a first sliding groove and a second sliding groove which extend in an engaging direction and are configured for guiding the battery pack to be mechanically connected with the external device. The first electrical interface further includes a plurality of first terminals configured for being electrically connected with corresponding terminals of the other one of the battery pack and the external device. At least one first terminal is at least partially accommodated in the first sliding groove, and/or at least one first terminal is at least partially accommodated in the second sliding groove.