Battery Shipping Container with Absorbent Pad and Foam Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shipping containers for wet cell batteries, which contain hazardous liquids, are not adequately sized, leading to movement and potential leakage during transport, requiring special permitting and separate shipping channels, resulting in increased costs and liability.
Innovation Solution
Development of durable, leak-proof shipping containers with absorbent pads and foam inserts that absorb any liquid leaks, allowing for secure containment and potential use in non-hazardous shipping channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wet cell batteries are shipped using current hazardous material procedures, then safety and regulatory compliance are ensured, but shipping costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating absorbent pads and foam inserts into the shipping container before the battery is placed inside. These components are pre-positioned to absorb potential leaks and cushion the battery against movement, thereby preventing hazardous material spillage and eliminating the need for complex hazardous material shipping procedures while maintaining safety standards
2Reliability
If absorbent pads and foam inserts are added to the shipping container, then liquid leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated shipping container structure. The absorbent pads and foam inserts are combined with the container itself, creating a unified system that provides both leak prevention and structural support. This merging approach prevents liquid leakage while avoiding the need for separate, complex safety systems
3Reliability
If the shipping container is designed to be leak-proof, then hazardous material containment is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible absorbent pads and foam inserts that conform to the battery shape and container interior. These flexible components create effective leak-proof barriers without requiring complex rigid sealing structures, thereby improving hazardous material containment while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of adaptable, form-fitting materials
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 containers effectively prevent liquid leakage, reducing shipping costs and liability, and enable the use of regular shipping channels for hazardous materials, while meeting regulatory standards for safety and durability.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent pad disposed within the cavity to absorb liquid from the battery if the battery leaks
Implementation Method 2
a base foam insert disposed in the cavity to reduce vibrations and impacts to the battery when the battery is disposed in the shipping container
Data Source
AI summary
Shipping containers for batteries are described herein. An example shipping container includes a base defining a cavity, a lid to be coupled to a top of the base to substantially seal the cavity, and an absorbent pad disposed within the cavity to absorb liquid from the battery if the battery leaks.