Battery Pack Tracking Integration for Out-of-Range Alerts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery packs lack integrated tracking solutions to alert users when they are out of range, making it difficult for users to locate misplaced or lost battery packs.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a tracking device within the battery pack that communicates a unique identifier and utilizes a battery management system to manage power, allowing for real-time tracking and alerting users when the battery pack is out of range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tracking device is integrated into the battery pack, then users can locate misplaced battery packs and receive real-time notifications, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery pack tracking capabilityVSAvoidbattery pack structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking device is integrated into the battery pack housing, combining tracking functionality with the existing battery pack structure. This merging approach enables tracking capability while minimizing additional complexity by sharing structural components and space within the battery pack enclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery pack structure serves multiple functions: it houses the battery cells, provides mechanical protection, and now also accommodates the tracking device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated tracking hardware, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a tracking device is integrated into the battery pack, then real-time tracking and alerting functionality is enabled, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery pack tracking functionalityVSAvoidbattery pack production cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking device is incorporated during the battery pack assembly process, combining manufacturing steps where possible. This integration approach allows tracking components to be installed alongside other battery pack components, potentially reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost compared to separate production and assembly of tracking devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If the tracking device communicates continuously with the tracking environment, then real-time location monitoring is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking information availabilityVSAvoidbattery pack power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking device communicates periodically with the tracking environment rather than continuously. This periodic communication approach maintains real-time location monitoring capability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous transmission, allowing the battery pack to remain operational for extended periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The tracking device uses feedback mechanisms to determine when communication is necessary, activating transmission only when location updates are required or when triggered by specific events such as separation detection. This feedback-driven approach optimizes energy usage by avoiding unnecessary continuous communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250023121A1Battery pack tracking device

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 CHIPOLO D O O

AI summary

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for alerting users of out of range battery packs are provided.