Battery Cell Segmentation and Rapid Exchange for Thermal Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries face challenges in high-power, high-capacity applications due to unique discharge and recharging profiles, leading to inefficiencies and safety risks such as waste heat, fires, and explosions, especially in large-scale applications like electric vehicles where synchronizing battery cells is complex.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems and methods for simultaneous energy and data transfer, including rapid battery replacement and recharging techniques using bifurcated pump interfaces, magnetic alignment, and specialized electrolyte flushing to manage battery cell density and charge states, allowing for efficient sorting, recharging, and replacement of battery elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If rechargeable batteries are used in high-power, high-capacity applications, then energy storage capacity is improved, but safety risks and waste heat generation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple individual battery cells that can be independently managed, monitored, and replaced. This segmentation allows for better heat dissipation across multiple smaller units rather than one large battery, reducing the risk of thermal runaway while maintaining high total capacity through parallel or series configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the battery cells and the external environment, monitoring temperature, charge states, and synchronization. This intermediary manages the harmful effects by regulating operating conditions, preventing overheating, and ensuring safe operation of high-capacity battery arrays.
2Duration of action of moving object
If traditional recharging methods are used, then battery capacity is restored, but time consumption and efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Battery cells are pre-charged externally before being installed in the appliance. This preliminary action allows the appliance to receive fully charged cells immediately, eliminating the waiting time associated with on-site recharging. The system maintains a supply of pre-charged replacement cells to ensure continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention bypasses the traditional slow recharging process by implementing rapid exchange mechanisms. Discharged cells are quickly removed and replaced with pre-charged cells, rushing through the recharging bottleneck by performing the charging operation separately and in advance rather than during appliance operation.
3Reliability
If battery cells are synchronized in series arrays, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cells are designed with self-diagnostic capabilities and automatic status indication, allowing the control system to easily identify charge states and synchronization issues. Each cell provides self-information about its condition, reducing the complexity of monitoring and synchronization while maintaining high reliability through automatic detection and management.
4Productivity
If rapid battery replacement is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is designed as modular segments that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing standardized cell production and easy assembly into arrays, while enabling rapid replacement of individual modules without affecting the entire battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery cells and mounting interfaces are designed with universal standards that allow the same replacement mechanism to work across different appliance models or configurations. This universality reduces manufacturing complexity by using standardized components while maintaining high productivity through efficient replacement procedures.
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 enables rapid and efficient battery recharging and replacement, reducing waste heat, enhancing safety, and improving the synchronization of battery cells in series arrays, thus addressing the inefficiencies and risks associated with traditional rechargeable batteries in high-capacity applications.
Implementation Method 1
a bifurcated pump interface that simultaneously unloads discharged cells and loads new, charged cells
Implementation Method 2
The cells may be magnetically aligned or otherwise maneuvered to bring cathode and anode elements together
Implementation Method 3
specialized electrolyte flushing to manage battery cell density and charge states
Data Source
AI summary
New systems, methods and media for simultaneous energy and data transfer are provided. In some aspects of the invention, an energy and data receiver is provided, which may be used to receive data and energy simultaneously, in a unified manner. Energy and information transfer media, which may be included within such a receiver unit, are also provided.New electrochemical battery recharging, refurbishment and replacement techniques are also provided. In some aspects of the invention, small, fungible battery elements with external contacts may be delivered to a tank comprising contacts. The cells may be delivered to the tank bridging contacts within the tank, powering an appliance. Density differentials, maneuvering protocols and variable contacts between the elements may aid in placing them in selected circuit orders, and in removing them.