Battery Leakage Mitigation via Absorbent Terminal Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Alkaline batteries often leak due to pressure buildup and corrosive potassium hydroxide, causing damage to electronic devices, and existing solutions have been unsuccessful in preventing this damage.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a conductive disc and an absorption ring with an absorbent material is secured to the battery terminal, capturing and containing leaking fluids and chemicals, maintaining electrical continuity while preventing damage to electronic devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If alkaline batteries are used to power electronic devices, then portable power is provided, but battery leakage causes damage to electronic devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportable powerVSAvoidbattery leakage damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective system comprising a conductive disc and absorption ring is introduced as an intermediary between the battery and electronic device components. The absorption ring contains absorbent material that intercepts and absorbs leaking potassium hydroxide before it can contact and damage electronic components, while the conductive disc maintains electrical continuity. This mediator approach allows battery usage while preventing leakage damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective system is divided into separate functional components: a conductive disc for maintaining electrical contact and an absorption ring with absorbent material for capturing leakage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the disc ensures electrical continuity while the ring provides leakage protection, together resolving the contradiction between power delivery and leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If batteries are stored in devices for long periods, then convenient power availability is maintained, but gradual discharge leads to leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenient power availabilityVSAvoidleakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The absorption ring is pre-installed in the battery compartment before any leakage occurs. This preliminary protective measure ensures that when gradual discharge from long-term storage eventually causes leakage, the absorbent material is already in place to capture the leaking potassium hydroxide, preventing damage to electronic components while maintaining the convenience of leaving batteries installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides beforehand cushioning by positioning the absorption ring to intercept leakage before it reaches critical components. The absorbent material acts as a cushioning barrier that neutralizes the harmful effects of leakage that will inevitably occur from gradual discharge during long-term storage, protecting reliability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Power

If pressure buildup is allowed in batteries, then battery operation is maintained, but housing rupture causes significant leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery operationVSAvoidhousing rupture leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful effect of pressure-driven leakage into a beneficial outcome by using the absorption ring to capture the leaking potassium hydroxide. The leakage that would normally cause damage is instead directed into the absorbent material, which neutralizes the harm while allowing the battery to continue operating under pressure buildup conditions.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The absorption ring serves as an intermediary that intercepts the leakage flow caused by pressure buildup. It stands between the battery housing and electronic components, capturing the potassium hydroxide before it can cause damage, thereby allowing battery operation to continue even when pressure-induced leakage occurs.

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 effectively mitigates battery leakage by absorbing and containing corrosive fluids and solids, preventing damage to electronic components and allowing for reuse of the system on new batteries.

Implementation Method 1

The absorption ring includes an absorbent material therein for absorbing liquids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10164226B2System and method for mitigating the effects of battery leakage

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 SUMNER GREG

AI summary

A system for coupling with a terminal end of a battery is used for the mitigation of battery leakage and includes a conductive disc and an absorption ring in combination that fits to an end of the battery. The conductive disc has a center section that is electrically coupled with the battery and a peripheral section that surrounds the center section. The absorption ring is secured to a surface of the conductive disc and extends around the peripheral section to surround the disc center section. The absorption ring includes an absorbent material that absorbs any liquid escaping from the battery. An adhesive material is positioned proximate to the absorption ring and secures the system to an end of the battery.