Battery Label ID Resistor Authentication for Safe Cell Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cylindrical cell batteries with standard dimensions and terminals lack effective differentiation, leading to potential device performance issues and safety hazards due to varying battery chemistries, as there is no way for devices to verify if installed batteries have safe nominal voltage and capacity.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an identifier resistor into the battery label with exposed terminals, allowing devices to detect resistance values using electrical contacts and a lookup table to authenticate the battery type, ensuring compatibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard cylindrical battery dimensions and terminals are used for interchangeability, then ease of operation is improved, but battery differentiation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An identifier resistor is introduced as an intermediary element embedded within the battery label. This resistor serves as a mediator that carries identification information about the battery type (chemistry, voltage, capacity) without interfering with the standard battery dimensions or terminal connections. The device's electrical contact reads this identifier to determine battery compatibility.
2Reliability
If battery authentication is implemented to prevent safety hazards, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic authentication systems with a simple electrical resistance measurement. Instead of using RFID tags, barcodes, or complex circuitry, the system uses the inherent electrical resistance of an identifier resistor embedded in the label. The device's existing electrical contact and analog-to-digital converter are sufficient to read the identifier, avoiding additional complex components.
3Loss of information
If an identifier resistor is embedded in the battery label, then battery authentication capability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The identifier resistor is merged with the battery label structure itself rather than being a separate component. The resistor is embedded within the label layers, with its terminals integrated into the label's construction. This merging approach eliminates the need for precise separate placement and connection of a discrete resistor component, as the resistor becomes part of the label manufacturing process.
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 accurate battery authentication, preventing performance impacts and safety hazards by ensuring only valid batteries are used, improving user experience and trust without altering battery dimensions or adding materials.
Implementation Method 1
The analog-to-digital converter is configured to apply a voltage to the ID resistor to detect the resistance value
Data Source
AI summary
The present document describes methods and systems for battery authentication. In aspects, the battery includes an identifier (ID) resistor integrated into the battery label and having at least one exposed resistor contact. The location of the resistor contact can be used for mechanical keying for identification of the battery. The ID resistor has a resistance value that corresponds to a type of the battery. To detect the ID resistor, a device can have electrical contacts (e.g., pogo pins) that are exposed in a battery housing and that electrically connect to the resistor contact(s) of the battery. The device can use a lookup table to identify the type of the battery based on the resistance value of the ID resistor. Such identification of the type of the battery enables authentication of the battery to the device and initiation of one or more functions based on whether the battery is valid.