Primary Battery With Capillary Separator For Moisture Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional primary batteries face challenges with self-discharge and safety concerns due to the need for manual injection of electrolyte, which can lead to leakage and limited spontaneous power generation, especially in environmental applications.
Innovation Solution
A primary battery design featuring a separator that absorbs electrolyte or water through capillary action, eliminating the need for internal electrolyte storage and reducing leakage risks, with exposed portions allowing for easy handling and spontaneous power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional primary batteries immerse electrodes in electrolyte solution, then power generation is enabled, but self-discharge occurs and safety problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is divided into separate compartments: the electrodes are housed in a sealed battery case without electrolyte, while the electrolyte is contained in a separate container. This segmentation allows the battery to generate power only when electrolyte is injected, preventing self-discharge during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes are prepared in advance and sealed in the battery case in an activated state, ready to generate power immediately upon electrolyte injection. This preliminary preparation enables spontaneous power generation without requiring activation steps, while maintaining reliability by preventing premature reaction.
2Extent of automation
If electrolyte is injected manually using eye dropper, then power generation can be activated, but leakage occurs and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A wick made of hydrophilic material serves as an intermediary between the electrolyte container and the battery interior. The wick automatically transports electrolyte through capillary action, eliminating the need for manual injection with eye dropper and preventing leakage while enabling spontaneous activation.
3Power
If strongly alkaline or organic electrolyte is used, then battery performance is achieved, but safety and environmental problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte composition is changed from strongly alkaline or organic solutions to safer alternatives such as salt solutions or other environmentally friendly electrolytes. This parameter change maintains sufficient battery performance while eliminating safety hazards and environmental damage associated with conventional electrolytes.
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 battery design prevents self-discharge before use, requires minimal electrolyte, and avoids leakage concerns, enabling efficient and environmentally friendly power generation in various applications, including moisture sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a separator that is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and sucks up electrolyte solution by a capillary phenomenon with an exposed portion of the separator exposed from a battery casing
Implementation Method 2
a separator that contains an electrolyte and sucks up water by a capillary phenomenon with an exposed portion of the separator exposed from a battery casing
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an easy-to-handle primary battery capable of spontaneous power generation and a moisture sensor including the same. The primary battery includes a separator that is disposed between a negative electrode and negative electrode current collector (a negative electrode) and a positive electrode and positive electrode current collector (a positive electrode), and sucks up electrolyte solution by the capillary phenomenon with an exposed portion of the separator 5 exposed from battery casings.