Battery Rental Airflow Monitoring for Temperature Abnormality Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In battery rental devices, managing the temperature of stored batteries effectively is a challenge due to the need for appropriate thermal management to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device and method that acquires and compares operational and environmental data, using a trained model to determine abnormal changes in the power device, such as the wind generation unit or flow path, and takes countermeasures like prohibiting operation or reducing power usage when abnormalities are detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a plurality of batteries are stored in a battery rental device, then the device can provide battery rental service, but the temperature management becomes complex and difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery rental service capabilityVSAvoidtemperature management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a temperature management device as an intermediary component between the batteries and the external environment. This device includes a housing with intake and exhaust ports, and a temperature management unit that actively controls air flow through the battery storage space. The intermediary device simplifies temperature management by centralizing the cooling function rather than requiring individual control for each battery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pneumatic principles by using air flow as the cooling medium. The temperature management unit creates a controlled air circulation system where cool air is drawn through intake ports, passes over the batteries to absorb heat, and is then exhausted through exhaust ports. This pneumatic approach provides efficient heat removal without requiring direct thermal contact or complex liquid cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If the wind generation unit or flow path deteriorates, then the temperature management efficiency decreases, but detecting the abnormality is difficult without direct measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature management efficiencyVSAvoidabnormality detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the temperature management unit continuously monitors the operational state of the wind generation unit and flow path. When abnormalities such as clogging or deterioration are detected through changes in air flow characteristics or power consumption patterns, the system provides feedback signals to alert operators and can automatically adjust operation to maintain temperature management effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement of flow path conditions with electrical and thermal measurements. Instead of physically inspecting the flow path for clogging, the system uses electrical sensors to detect changes in power consumption of the wind generation unit and thermal sensors to detect temperature variations, substituting mechanical inspection with non-contact sensing methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach allows for effective temperature management within battery rental devices, preventing damage from abnormal temperature changes and ensuring the reliability and efficiency of battery storage and charging processes.

Implementation Method 1

a wind generation unit that supports a flow of air inside and outside of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20230411728A1Information processing device, charging device, information processing method, program, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An acquirer acquires an observed amount related to at least one of an operation amount of a power device or an environmental state of the power device, the power device including an electric operation unit accommodated in a housing and a wind generation unit that supports a flow of air inside and outside of the housing, a comparator compares the observed amount acquired by the acquirer with a reference amount, and a determiner determines an abnormal change in the power device on the basis of a result of comparing the observed amount with the reference amount in the comparator.