Generating Backpack Electronics for Cold-Weather Battery Warming

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electricity generating backpacks fail to maintain battery efficiency and safety in cold temperatures, leading to reduced power output and potential damage due to voltage loss and inability to charge batteries effectively.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive electronic control module (ECM) with a microcontroller adjusts emulation resistance to optimize power output based on payload weight and motion, using generated electricity to warm the battery pouch and maintain optimal temperature for charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the battery is used in cold temperatures, then the backpack can operate in various environmental conditions, but the battery voltage and energy density significantly reduce, making charging ineffective or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational environment rangeVSAvoidbattery charging effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary warming of the battery using a heating element before charging begins. Temperature sensors detect when battery temperature drops below the optimal charging threshold, and the ECM activates the heating element to raise the temperature to the required range, ensuring the battery is properly conditioned before charging starts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the electricity generated by the backpack's generator to power the heating element that warms the battery. This self-service approach allows the system to use its own generated power to create the optimal conditions for charging, without requiring external power sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If a fixed resistor is used for emulation resistance in the ECM, then the design is simple, but the power output cannot be optimized for different payload weights and motion conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveECM circuit designVSAvoidgenerator power output

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the fixed resistor with a variable emulation resistance that can be dynamically adjusted by the ECM. The microcontroller in the ECM receives input from sensors about payload weight and motion characteristics, then adjusts the emulation resistance in real-time to optimize the generator's power output for each specific operating condition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the electrical parameter (emulation resistance value) based on operating conditions. The ECM modifies the resistance value to match the optimal load for the generator under different payload weights and motion speeds, maximizing power transfer efficiency across varying operational scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the battery temperature is below -10°C, then the system can operate in extreme cold, but the battery cannot charge and may suffer permanent damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecold temperature operationVSAvoidbattery damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary temperature checking and warming before charging attempts. When the temperature sensor detects temperatures below -10°C, the ECM activates the heating element to raise the battery temperature to the safe charging range, preventing damage that would occur from charging in freezing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element acts as an intermediary between the cold environment and the battery. It provides thermal mediation by transferring heat to the battery, creating a protective buffer that allows the battery to operate in cold environments without being directly exposed to damaging low temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ECM ensures efficient power generation and safe charging of batteries even in extreme cold, preventing damage and maximizing energy density by maintaining battery temperature within an optimal range.

Implementation Method 1

The warming element receiving DC electricity that is used to generate heat to warm the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a generator that generates DC electricity for application to a load

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12407220B1Electricity generating backpack with adaptive electronics for warming batteries in cold temperatures

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 LIGHTNING PACKS LLC

AI summary

An electricity generating backpack includes a generator that generates DC electricity for application to a load. The backpack includes an electronic control module (ECM) adapted to adjust an emulation resistance for the generator to maximize power output in response to a weight of the payload in the bag and an up and down movement of the bag in response to the walking or running cadence of the wearer of the backpack. The load may include a battery that stores DC electricity and a warming element in a warming pouch adapted to hold the battery. The warming element receiving DC electricity that is used to generate heat to warm the battery to maintain the battery within a desired temperature range for charging/discharging. When no load is connected, the DC electricity may be diverted to a power resistor to absorb power and to dissipate the power as heat.