Universal Battery Compartment with Flexible Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices, such as handheld wireless communication devices, face challenges in accommodating batteries of different sizes without requiring separate battery doors, which would be cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The use of elastomeric elements, rigid frames, and flexible engagement means in the battery cover design allows for the accommodation of batteries of varying thicknesses by compressing or expanding to fit both relatively thin and somewhat thicker batteries within a single battery compartment, eliminating the need for multiple battery doors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate battery doors are provided for each battery size, then batteries of different dimensions can be accommodated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery size accommodationVSAvoidbattery door variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery cover is designed with a single universal structure that can accommodate multiple battery sizes through flexible engagement means. The cover includes engagement features that can selectively engage with different battery types, allowing one cover design to serve multiple battery size configurations without requiring separate doors for each battery type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement means incorporate flexible or movable elements that can adapt their position or configuration based on the battery size inserted. This dynamic capability allows the same battery cover structure to securely hold both smaller and larger batteries by adjusting the engagement position, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-size doors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If a single battery compartment is used for different battery sizes, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but space utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery compartment designVSAvoidbattery compartment space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery compartment incorporates localized flexible engagement features at specific positions that can be activated or engaged depending on the battery size. These local quality variations in the engagement means allow the single compartment to efficiently utilize space for different battery dimensions by engaging only the necessary portions for each battery type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution enables efficient use of space and simplifies the design by accommodating batteries of different dimensions within a single compartment, enhancing usability and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomeric element, compressed against a battery by a cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a spring, compressed against the battery by a cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS7687197B2Expandable battery compartment for handheld electronic devices

Publication Date: 2010.03.30 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

In a portable electronic device having a battery compartment and a removeable cover therefor, the battery compartment and cover are configured to accommodate batteries of at least two different sizes.