Autoclavable Battery Pack Isolation Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rechargeable battery cells used in portable surgical instruments cannot withstand the high temperatures of autoclave sterilization, which is necessary for maintaining sterility, leading to potential damage and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design with an isolation region containing thermal insulating and phase change materials, such as silica aerogel and sodium sulfate decahydrate, that maintains the battery cell temperature below its damage threshold during autoclaving, along with temperature sensors and a system to monitor and control the autoclaving process to prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery pack is subjected to autoclave sterilization, then sterility is achieved, but the high temperature causes thermal damage to the battery cell
Solution Approach 1:
An isolation region containing thermal insulating material and phase change material is introduced as an intermediary between the battery cell and the autoclave environment. This intermediary layer blocks harmful heat transfer while allowing the battery pack to undergo autoclave sterilization, thus protecting the battery cell from thermal damage while achieving sterility
Solution Approach 2:
Phase change material is utilized in the isolation region to absorb excess heat through phase transition (e.g., melting) when exposed to autoclave temperatures. This phase change process maintains the battery cell temperature below its damage threshold, enabling safe autoclave sterilization
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal insulating material is added to protect the battery, then thermal protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines thermal insulating material and phase change material into a single integrated isolation region within the battery pack housing. This merging of multiple protective functions into one component provides comprehensive thermal protection without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation region employs composite construction by combining thermal insulating material with phase change material. This composite approach provides enhanced thermal protection through multiple mechanisms (insulation plus active heat absorption) while maintaining a compact, integrated structure
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 battery pack is effectively protected from thermal damage during autoclaving, ensuring safe sterilization and prolonged battery life while maintaining sterility, and the system ensures safe operation by preventing overheating.
Implementation Method 1
an isolation region (305) disposed between the at least one battery cell (101) and the at least one housing (107), thereby sealing the at least one battery cell (101) and the isolation region (305) inside
Implementation Method 2
an isolation region containing thermal insulating and phase change materials, such as silica aerogel and sodium sulfate decahydrate
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A battery autoclaving system is provided including a battery pack having a housing, a battery cell disposed within the housing, and an isolation region disposed between the housing and the battery cell. The isolation region may be formed at least partially from at least one of a thermal insulating material, a phase change material or any combination thereof. The system may include a temperature sensor adapted to sense at least one of a temperature of the battery cell temperature of the isolation region. The system may include and an autoclave configured to receive a temperature indication from the temperature sensor and to inhibit autoclaving when the temperature indication exceeds a predetermined value.