Mobile Workstation Power System Seamless Battery Swapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile workstations in healthcare environments face downtime and inconvenience due to the need for rechargeable batteries, which require lengthy recharging periods and often necessitate extra workstations to ensure continuous use, as existing switchable battery systems are cumbersome and risky for facility personnel to handle.
Innovation Solution
A power system with a docking station, power bus, and a detector that switches between power sourcing modes in response to user interaction, allowing seamless battery swapping without powering down the workstation, using lightweight batteries and a back-up battery to maintain continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rechargeable batteries are used to power mobile workstations, then the workstations can operate without wall outlets, but the workstations experience downtime during lengthy recharging periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically switching to backup power sources before the main battery is fully depleted. The controller monitors battery charge levels and proactively transitions to alternative power sources (secondary battery or AC adapter) to prevent operational interruption, eliminating the need to wait for recharging to complete before maintaining operation.
2Power
If conventional heavy batteries are used in mobile workstations, then sufficient power can be provided, but facility personnel face safety risks and difficulty when handling battery replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into multiple independent battery units (main battery and secondary battery) that can be handled individually. Each battery can be smaller and lighter than a single large battery, reducing handling risks while maintaining sufficient total power capacity through the segmented configuration and automatic switching between units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an AC adapter as an intermediary power source that eliminates the need for personnel to handle heavy batteries for recharging. The AC adapter serves as a mediator between wall power and the workstation, allowing battery replacement without manual intervention and reducing safety risks to facility personnel.
3Ease of operation
If battery swapping is implemented without automated detection, then manual battery replacement is simple, but the workstation must be powered down during switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms through detectors that automatically sense battery presence, charge status, and connection state. This feedback enables the controller to make real-time decisions about power source switching without manual intervention, maintaining workstation operation during battery transitions and eliminating the need to power down while preserving operational simplicity.
4Productivity
If multiple workstations are deployed to ensure continuous availability, then sufficient operational coverage is provided, but the quantity and cost of equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of power source configuration by incorporating multiple power sourcing options (main battery, secondary battery, AC adapter) within a single workstation. This parameter change allows one workstation to provide continuous operation that previously required multiple workstations, reducing equipment quantity while maintaining productivity and availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A power system for a mobile workstation includes a docking station for a removable battery, a power bus, and a power interface having an output interface electrically connected with the power bus. The power system further includes a detector configured to detect user interaction with a removable battery docked with the docking station, and a switching device coupled with the detector and configured to switch the power interface from a first power sourcing mode to a second power sourcing mode receiving power from a back-up battery, in response to detecting user interaction with a removable battery docked with the docking station.