Battery Collection Bin With Fire Suppressant Thermal Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for recycling and disposing of batteries require trained handlers and extensive cautionary processing, leading to inefficient and inconvenient processes, especially for unstable battery compositions, and lack automated safety measures for thermal events.
Innovation Solution
A battery collection system with an enclosure and chute for safe deposit of batteries, featuring automated fire suppressant distribution, sensors for monitoring conditions, and mechanisms for secure storage and transport, including a removable fire suppressant cartridge and sensors for intelligent dispensing based on fill level, weight, and thermal properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used for battery collection, then trained handlers can ensure safe processing, but the process becomes inefficient and requires extensive human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables consumers to personally prepare and deposit batteries without trained handler assistance. The automated fire suppressant dispensing system and thermal monitoring provide self-service safety mechanisms that replace the need for human expertise while maintaining safety standards.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual handling and preparation by trained personnel is replaced with automated systems including fire suppressant dispensing mechanisms, thermal sensors, and automated response systems that detect and respond to thermal events without human intervention.
2Reliability
If extensive cautionary processing is applied to unstable battery compositions, then safety is improved, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Fire suppressant is pre-positioned in the collection bin and automatically dispensed when thermal events are detected. The system prepares safety measures in advance rather than requiring complex real-time human decision-making during battery processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal sensors continuously monitor batteries and provide feedback to the control system. When thermal properties indicate potential hazards, the system automatically responds by dispensing fire suppressant, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism that simplifies the processing of unstable compositions.
3Reliability
If manual preparation of batteries is required, then safety can be ensured, but consumer convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated safety mechanisms including fire suppressant dispensing and thermal monitoring that protect both consumers and batteries without requiring consumer expertise or manual preparation actions beyond simple deposit.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection bin is pre-equipped with fire suppressant and safety mechanisms that are ready before any battery is deposited. This beforehand preparation eliminates the need for consumers to perform safety-preparation actions while maintaining high safety standards.
4Reliability
If automated fire suppressant dispensing is implemented, then response to thermal events is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal sensors monitor battery conditions and provide feedback to the control system. When thermal properties exceed safe thresholds, the system automatically dispenses fire suppressant, creating a simple sensor-actuator feedback loop that improves response without requiring complex decision-making architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between thermal sensors and fire suppressant dispensing mechanisms. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system by providing a single point of coordination that translates sensor data into appropriate safety responses without requiring direct complex interactions between multiple components.
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
Enables safe, efficient, and convenient battery disposal or recycling without trained assistance, preventing thermal events through intelligent fire suppressant dispensing and secure storage, enhancing safety and reducing human interaction with volatile batteries.
Implementation Method 1
sensors configured to determine one or more of a fill level, volume, or weight of the transport drum within the enclosure, thermal properties within the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
one or more sensors configured to determine one or more of a fill level, volume, or weight of the transport drum within the enclosure, thermal properties within the enclosure
Implementation Method 3
a removable fire suppressant cartridge is disposed above the transport drum and associated with a fire suppressant dispensing mechanism configured to selectively dispense fire suppressant from the fire suppressant cartridge into the transport drum
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems, non-transitory computer-readable media, and methods for collecting batteries and other devices for disposal or recycling. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems provide a battery collection bin comprising a transport drum within an enclosure and a removable cartridge or internal basin filled with fire suppressant. Also, in some embodiments, the disclosed systems detect deposit of a battery through a feed chute into the transport drum and determine, based on signals from one or more sensors, a fill level, volume, or weight of the transport drum. In response, embodiments of the disclosed systems utilize a dispensing system to dispense a measure of fire suppressant from the removable cartridge or internal basin into the transport drum to prevent unwanted thermal events. Additional mechanisms and related methods for streamlined and safe collection of batteries and other devices are disclosed.