Contactless Power Storage Cell Using Antenna-Based Wireless Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric storage cells face reliability and safety issues due to compromised fluid-tightness and airtightness during charging and discharging, particularly in harsh environments, as the electrode terminal penetration can lead to electrolyte leakage and external air intrusion.

Innovation Solution

The electric storage cell employs contactless charging and discharging using a charging reception antenna and a discharging transmission antenna, eliminating the need for an electrode terminal to penetrate the casing, and is housed in a casing with a thermoplastic resin frame and laminate film for hermetic sealing, ensuring the electrolyte remains encapsulated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electrode terminal penetrates the casing to enable charging/discharging, then electrical functionality is achieved, but fluid-tightness and airtightness are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid-tightness and airtightnessVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical penetration system (electrode terminals passing through the casing) with a contactless electromagnetic induction system. The charging/discharging function is achieved through magnetic coupling between an external coil and an internal coil, eliminating the need for physical penetrations and thereby maintaining fluid-tightness and airtightness without requiring complex sealing assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary to transfer energy between the external power source and the electric storage element. The external coil generates a magnetic field that induces current in the internal coil, enabling wireless charging/discharging while keeping the casing intact and preserving its sealing properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If electrode terminals penetrate the casing, then charging/discharging is enabled, but electrolyte leakage and air intrusion risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging and dischargingVSAvoidelectrolyte leakage and air intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the mechanical penetration interface by using contactless electromagnetic induction for charging/discharging. This substitution removes the vulnerability point where electrolyte leakage and air intrusion could occur, while still enabling convenient charging/discharging operations through wireless energy transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If multiple components and assembly processes are used to ensure fluid-tightness, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the charging/discharging function from the mechanical structure and implements it through a separate electromagnetic field-based system. This extraction eliminates the need for complex sealing components and assembly processes around electrode terminals, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining sealing reliability through the intact casing design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This solution enhances the reliability and safety of the electric storage cell by preventing electrolyte leakage and external gas intrusion, allowing for a compact and easily maintainable module with improved insulation and reduced assembly complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a charging reception antenna (6) connected to the electric storage element (5) and configured to receive electric power transmitted from a power feeding unit (20) in a contactless manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a discharging transmission antenna (7) connected to the electric storage element (5) and configured to transmit electric power stored in the electric storage element (5) in a contactless manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2654178B1Power storage cell and power storage apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.07.29 UD TRUCKS CORP

Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~2

AI summary

An electric storage cell includes a casing configured to house an electric storage element and electrolyte, a charging reception antenna connected to the electric storage element and configured to receive electric power transmitted from a power feeding unit in a contactless manner, and a discharging transmission antenna connected to the electric storage element and configured to transmit electric power stored in the electric storage element in a contactless manner. The charging reception antenna and the discharging transmission antenna are arranged in the casing.