Battery Collection Bin with Modular Inserts and Fire Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for mass collection, recycling, and disposal of batteries require trained handlers and extensive caution due to safety concerns, particularly with unstable battery compositions that can lead to thermal events.

Innovation Solution

A battery collection and fire suppression system that includes a battery collection bin with modular inserts allowing users to safely deposit batteries without trained assistance. The system features fire suppressant materials that automatically deploy during thermal events, ensuring focused suppression and preventing the spread of heat and flames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional methods are used for battery collection and handling, then safety can be maintained through trained handlers and cautionary processing, but the process becomes inefficient and inconvenient requiring extensive manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidefficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows untrained users to safely deposit batteries themselves through the collection bin without requiring trained handlers. The automated fire suppressant further enables self-service by automatically responding to thermal events without human intervention, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical handling operations with an automated system featuring a collection bin with modular inserts and an automated fire suppressant delivery system. This substitution eliminates the need for trained handlers to manually process each battery, improving efficiency while maintaining safety through automated monitoring and response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If trained handlers process each battery individually with cautionary measures, then safety is ensured through proper preparation, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collection bin is divided into multiple modular inserts that can be independently configured to hold different battery types. This segmentation allows untrained users to simply deposit batteries into the appropriate modular section without requiring knowledge of complex handling procedures, reducing process complexity while maintaining safety through organized separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables untrained users to independently and safely deposit various battery types into the collection bin without requiring trained handlers. The modular inserts and automated fire suppressant work together to handle complexity internally, allowing users to benefit from simplified self-service operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If fire suppressant is deployed automatically during thermal events, then rapid response is achieved, but the system requires sophisticated detection and deployment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Fire suppressant is pre-positioned within the collection bin system, ready for immediate deployment upon detection of a thermal event. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex real-time delivery mechanisms, achieving rapid response while reducing system complexity by using pre-staged suppression materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a fire suppressant as an intermediary substance that automatically responds to thermal events between the battery and the environment. This intermediary absorbs thermal energy and suppresses fires, simplifying the system by using a passive chemical mediator rather than requiring complex active suppression mechanisms

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 system enables safe, efficient, and convenient collection, storage, and transportation of batteries by allowing unassisted user deposition and providing automated fire suppression, thereby reducing the risk of thermal events and ensuring safe handling.

Implementation Method 1

the fire suppressant of the disclosed systems can automatically deploy to a targeted location within the battery collection bin in response to a thermal event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal event detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20250065162A1Battery collection and transport system with automated fire suppression

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 REDWOOD MATERIALS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for collecting batteries and other devices for disposal or recycling and suppressing fires during storage and/or transportation. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems provide a battery collection and fire suppression system comprising a battery collection bin with side vents in one or more sides of the battery collection bin. Also, in some embodiments, disclosed systems may include modular inserts configured to be inserted into the battery collection bin. Further, in some implementations, the disclosed systems may include fire suppressant configured to be inserted into the battery collection bin about the modular inserts that automatically is deployed during a thermal event.