Universal Battery Interconnect for Multi-Vector Device Swapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery technologies require different interconnection interfaces and orientations for various portable electrical devices, leading to inefficiencies in production, storage, and use, as well as limitations in swapping batteries between devices, especially in military contexts where ergonomic and mechanical differences complicate battery exchange.
Innovation Solution
A standardized battery configuration with a versatile interconnection interface that accommodates multiple insertion vectors and rotational mechanics, featuring a cuboid body with adaptable retention features, USB-C socket, and elastomeric sealing, allowing for secure connections via hook, snap, slide, and twist modes, enabling compatibility with a wide range of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If different interconnection interfaces are used for different portable electrical devices, then each device can have optimized ergonomics and mechanical fit, but battery production complexity increases and battery swapping between devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single battery with a standardized interconnection interface that can be used across multiple different portable electrical devices. The battery body includes a standardized interface with electrical contacts and retention features that accommodate various devices through a common attachment mechanism, eliminating the need for device-specific battery designs while maintaining optimized ergonomics and mechanical fit through the standardized interface geometry.
2Ease of operation
If different interconnection interfaces are used for different devices, then each device can have optimized mechanical attachment, but the time required for battery exchange increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized interconnection interface enables a single battery design to attach to multiple different devices using the same attachment mechanism. The retention features, including latches and engagement structures, are designed to provide secure mechanical attachment across various devices while allowing rapid battery exchange through a consistent attachment and detachment procedure, thereby reducing battery exchange time.
3Productivity
If a standardized battery configuration is used across various devices, then production and distribution efficiency improves, but compatibility with devices requiring specific insertion vectors and orientations may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The battery body is designed with a standardized interconnection interface that maintains a consistent orientation relative to the battery's center of gravity and electrical contacts. The retention features are positioned to engage with corresponding features on different devices regardless of the device's specific insertion vector or orientation requirements. This universal design enables efficient standardized production and distribution while accommodating various device configurations through the standardized interface geometry and retention mechanism placement.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery with a generally cuboid body with a top face. A cylindrical terminal extending from a center of the top face, a top of the cylindrical terminal provided with electrical contacts. A left tab and a right tab provided extending from the top face proximate a left end and a right end of the top face, respectively. A peripheral portion of each of the left and the right tabs forming a retaining groove extending from the top face; and an inward facing portion of the peripheral portion of each of the left and the right tabs facing the cylindrical terminal provided with an arc radius centered upon the center of the top face. The battery interconnectable with a range of electronic devices via a range of vectors and/or mechanics.