Switch Cap Suppressing Battery Power Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary battery devices face unintended power consumption when a dummy connector is mistakenly left attached, leading to overdischarge due to the battery management unit's continuous operation without user intention.
Innovation Solution
A switch cap design that simulates CAN communication when attached to the communication connector, allowing manual or contactless operation to start and stop the battery management system, preventing power consumption when not in use by using a plug main body with pin terminals, a disengagement preventing member, and a protective member to ensure electrical connection only when intended.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dummy connector is left attached to the control connector, then the controller can continuously monitor and evaluate the battery, but the battery power is consumed against the user's intention
Solution Approach 1:
The switch cap incorporates a switch mechanism that allows the electrical connection between the dummy connector and control connector to be dynamically changed from connected to disconnected state. This enables the system to transition between active monitoring mode and power-saving mode, resolving the contradiction between maintaining monitoring reliability and reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch cap enables periodic or on-demand activation of the controller rather than continuous operation. The user can periodically attach the dummy connector to activate monitoring only when needed, or use the switch mechanism to intermittently connect/disconnect the power supply to the controller, achieving periodic action that balances monitoring needs with power conservation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the dummy connector is designed to simulate CAN communication, then the controller starts automatically, but it becomes difficult to distinguish from a protective cap
Solution Approach 1:
The switch cap incorporates visual indicators such as color-coded markings, LED indicators, or colored rings that change or become visible in different states. These visual cues clearly distinguish the switch cap from a plain protective cap and indicate whether the controller is currently active or inactive, resolving the identification difficulty while maintaining the communication simulation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch cap acts as an intermediary device between the dummy connector and the control connector. It provides additional functional elements (switch mechanism, visual indicators) that mediate between the user's need to identify the connector type and the system's need to simulate communication, making the distinction clear without compromising the communication simulation capability.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If the switch cap includes a switch mechanism, then power consumption can be controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch cap is designed as a segmented structure with separate functional components: a body portion, a switch mechanism, and visual indicator elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently and simplifies the overall design by breaking down the complex device into manageable, modular parts that can be manufactured and assembled separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch cap is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device: it provides mechanical protection for the connector, simulates CAN communication by establishing electrical connections, controls power consumption through the switch mechanism, and provides visual feedback through indicators. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and justifies the added complexity by consolidating multiple functions into one component.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
Certain embodiments provide a connector cover attached to a communication connector of a power supply device which includes a secondary battery and a manager managing the secondary battery. The connector cover comprising a plurality of cover side terminals which are each connected to a plurality of connector side terminals, the connector side terminals are connection terminals included in the communication connector and provided on a supply circuit supplying power of the secondary battery to the manager and a cover base portion which is provided with the plurality of cover side terminals electrically connected by a conductive portion and electrically connects between the plurality of connector side terminals on the supply circuit when the plurality of cover side terminals are connected to the connector side terminals and a mark which indicates an electrical connection situation of the plurality of connector side terminals connected to the supply circuit.