Battery Discharge Device with Resistive Heating and Thermochromic Indicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

The disposal and recycling of charged or partially charged batteries pose a risk of fire and damage due to reactive electrolytic chemicals, with existing containment methods often resulting in loss of recyclable materials and exposure to hazardous substances.

Innovation Solution

A battery discharge device featuring a resistive heating material and reversible thermochromic indicator, which safely discharges batteries by forming electrical contacts and providing a visual indication of the discharge state, thereby minimizing fire hazards and preserving recyclable materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If containment methods are used to reduce fire hazards during battery disposal, then safety is improved, but loss of recyclable materials increases and exposure to hazardous substances occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidrecyclable materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary discharge of the battery before disposal or recycling by establishing an electrical circuit through resistive heating material that safely dissipates residual energy. This preliminary action removes the hazardous charged state that causes fire risks during containment, enabling subsequent safe recycling without material loss or exposure hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful reactive energy stored in charged batteries into beneficial thermal energy through controlled resistive heating. The harmful electrical energy that poses fire risks is transformed into controlled heat that safely discharges the battery, turning a hazard into a useful discharge mechanism that enables safe recycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If containment methods are used to reduce fire hazards, then safety is improved, but exposure to hazardous substances increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidexposure to hazardous substances

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If battery discharge is performed without visual indication, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of discharge state deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddischarge state indication

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a thermochromic indicator that changes color in response to temperature changes caused by resistive heating during battery discharge. This provides clear visual indication of discharge state without requiring complex electronic sensors or measurement systems, maintaining simplicity while achieving precise discharge monitoring through color transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex electronic measurement and indication systems with a passive thermochromic material that automatically responds to thermal changes. The mechanical/thermal field (heat from resistive heating) directly drives the optical indication (color change), eliminating the need for electronic sensors, circuits, or power sources for monitoring.

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

The device effectively discharges batteries while preventing fires and allowing for safe recycling, ensuring the recovery and reuse of valuable materials without exposing users to hazardous substances.

Implementation Method 1

a battery discharge indicator including a resistive heating material in electrical communication with the positive battery contact and with the negative battery contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

including a reversible thermochromic indicator in thermal communication with the resistive heating material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermochromism: Thermochromism

Data Source

PatentUS8823329B2Discharging of batteries

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 SLOOP STEVEN E

AI summary

Embodiments are disclosed that relate to devices for discharging batteries. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a battery discharge device including a positive battery contact for forming an electrical contact with a positive battery terminal of a battery, a negative battery contact for forming an electrical contact with a negative battery terminal of the battery, and a battery discharge indicator including a resistive heating material in electrical communication with the positive battery contact and with the negative battery contact, and also including a reversible thermochromic indicator in thermal communication with the resistive heating material.