Air Battery Housing Layout for Leak-Safe Self-Discharge Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air batteries face challenges with self-discharge due to electrode contact with electrolyte solutions, making handling difficult and prone to liquid leakage, especially when water injection is required for use.
Innovation Solution
An air battery design with a separate housing for the electrolyte solution or water, allowing for easy handling and minimizing self-discharge, where the electrolyte solution or water is introduced into the base cell via capillary action through a sealed system, eliminating the need for manual injection and reducing leakage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electrodes are in contact with electrolyte solution to enable battery function, then power generation is achieved, but self-discharge occurs and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is divided into two separate housings: a first housing containing the base cell (electrodes and separator) and a second housing containing the electrolyte solution. This segmentation allows the battery to function when needed while preventing unwanted contact during storage, thus resolving the contradiction between power generation capability and ease of handling.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealable hole acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two housings. When sealed, it prevents electrolyte contact; when opened, it allows controlled electrolyte addition to the base cell. This intermediary structure enables both long-term stable storage and convenient activation without self-discharge.
2Adaptability or versatility
If injection port is provided for adding water at time of use, then emergency battery can be activated, but injection is difficult and requires dedicated dropper
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system performs the electrolyte addition operation itself through capillary action. The separator automatically absorbs the electrolyte solution from the second housing into the base cell when the seal is opened, eliminating the need for manual injection with a dropper and making the operation simple and intuitive.
3Adaptability or versatility
If water injection is required for use, then battery can be activated, but amount of water cannot be adjusted and liquid leakage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The separator automatically regulates the electrolyte addition process through capillary absorption. It absorbs only the amount of electrolyte solution needed to saturate the base cell, preventing both under-filling and over-filling conditions that could lead to leakage. This self-regulating mechanism ensures reliable operation without requiring precise manual measurement.
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 air battery is easier to handle, suppresses self-discharge before use, and maintains high discharge capacity with improved handling and reduced environmental impact through biodegradable materials.
Implementation Method 1
the separator absorbs the electrolyte solution from the second housing into the base cell
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an air battery including a first housings accommodating a base cell including a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and a second housing containing an electrolyte solution or water, in which the first housing and the negative electrode each have a hole leading to the separator, the second housing has a hole that is capable of being sealed, and the first housing and the second housing are disposed to face the hole of the first housing and the hole of the second housing each other.