Electrical Switch Assembly with Sliding Bars for Battery Drain Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered devices, such as flashlights, often suffer from parasitic battery drain when batteries are stored with electrical components, leading to premature discharge and potential corrosion, making them inoperable during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
An electrical switch assembly with slidably positionable switch bars, each having electrically conducting and insulating regions, allows for physical and electrical separation between battery terminals, enabling the device to be switched between on and off states to prevent drain and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If batteries are left installed in the flashlight for storage, then the device is ready to use immediately, but parasitic battery drain occurs causing premature discharge and potential corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical connection between batteries and the flashlight circuit by introducing a removable switch assembly that physically disconnects the batteries from electrical components during storage. The switch assembly includes conductive elements that can be positioned to break the electrical circuit, effectively separating the power source from the device when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch assembly is designed to be movable between different positions - an engaged position that completes the electrical circuit for operation, and a disengaged position that breaks the circuit for storage. This dynamic positioning allows the user to transition the device between ready-to-use and storage states, preventing parasitic drain during storage while maintaining immediate readiness when engaged.
2Loss of energy
If batteries are removed from the flashlight for storage, then parasitic battery drain is prevented, but it becomes difficult to install batteries in proper orientation during power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The switch assembly is pre-configured with guide features, recesses, and shaped conductive elements that automatically orient batteries in the correct polarity when inserted. The physical geometry of the switch assembly components prevents incorrect insertion, ensuring batteries are always installed in the proper orientation without requiring user knowledge or careful alignment during emergency situations.
3Device complexity
If batteries are left installed in the flashlight, then the device remains assembled and compact, but corrosion of electrical components can occur from battery leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The switch assembly physically extracts and isolates the electrical connection path between batteries and sensitive components. By positioning the switch to break the circuit during storage, it prevents corrosive battery leakage from reaching and damaging electrical components, while maintaining the compact assembled form factor when the switch is engaged for operation.
4Device complexity
If a traditional switch design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot effectively prevent parasitic battery drain due to continuous electrical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The switch assembly is segmented into separate conductive elements - a first conductive element connected to the battery and a second conductive element connected to the circuit - that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the switch to physically break the electrical circuit by separating the conductive elements, effectively preventing parasitic drain while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical switch assemblies are described which include multiple switch bars. Each switch bar provides both physical and electrical separation between adjacent electrical components. Also, described are battery powered devices using the switch assemblies. Examples of devices using the switch assemblies include flashlights and remote control devices. The devices and switch assemblies avoid parasitic battery drain.