Vertical Battery Latch Mechanism to Prevent Accidental Unlatching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery latching mechanisms for power equipment are prone to accidental unlatching due to impact or improper design, posing safety risks and operational inconveniences, especially when the equipment is wheeled and subjected to sudden forces.
Innovation Solution
A vertical motion battery latching mechanism featuring a push button oriented parallel to the Z-axis, which rotates central and latch buttons to securely lock and release the battery, utilizing a coil spring to maintain the locked position and prevent accidental release under impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional battery latching mechanism is used, then the battery can be easily installed and removed, but the mechanism is prone to accidental unlatching due to impact or improper design
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism incorporates a biasing force (spring-loaded) that continuously acts to maintain the locked position, counteracting any external forces that might cause accidental unlatching. The button requires deliberate user action to overcome this bias and release the latch, preventing unintended battery disengagement during operation or transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from a static latch to a dynamic system with controlled motion. The button rotates about an axis and the latch button moves vertically in response to applied force, creating a controlled sequence of movements that ensures deliberate user action is required for release while maintaining secure locking during normal operation.
2Reliability
If the latch button is biased toward securing the battery, then the battery remains securely locked during operation, but the mechanism requires more force to release
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism uses rotational motion of the button about an axis to trigger the latch release sequence. This dynamic approach allows the user to apply force in a controlled manner, rotating the button to gradually overcome the biasing force and release the latch, rather than requiring a sudden large force.
Solution Approach 2:
The central lever acts as an intermediary between the button and the latch button. When the button rotates, it contacts the central lever which then translates this motion into vertical movement of the latch button, providing mechanical advantage and distributing the force required to overcome the biasing spring.
3Device complexity
If the push button rotates about an axis orthogonal to the latch direction, then the mechanism achieves compact design and smooth operation, but the geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The button rotates about an axis that is orthogonal to both the latch direction and the push direction, utilizing a third dimension to resolve the geometric complexity. This orthogonal rotation allows the button to engage the central lever smoothly while maintaining a compact overall design, as the rotational motion occurs in a plane perpendicular to the primary latch movement.
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
The mechanism provides enhanced rigidity and resilience against accidental unlatching, ensuring secure battery retention during operation and improving user safety and convenience by preventing unintended battery disengagement.
Implementation Method 1
The latch button can be biased toward securing the battery onto the power equipment
Implementation Method 2
The push button can be configured to rotate about a second axis in response to an input applied to the push button in a push direction that is substantially parallel to the first direction
Implementation Method 3
Rotation of the push button about the second axis can cause the central lever to move the latch in the first direction from the locked position to the released position
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical motion battery latching mechanism for a power equipment having a removable battery can include a central lever, a latch button and a vertically pushed button. The central lever can be configured to rotate about an axis. The latch button can be vertically movable by rotation of the central lever and configured to selectively secure and release the battery with respect to the power equipment. The latch button can be biased toward securing the battery onto the power equipment. The vertically pushed button can rotate about a second axis different from the first axis and be configured to contact the central lever to rotate the central lever about the first axis and release the battery from the power equipment by moving the latch button vertically.