Electro-Adhesive Battery Bonding for Fast Damage-Free Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery replacement in electronic devices is often time-consuming and requires special tools or environmental conditions, leading to potential damage to the device or battery, making it difficult to refurbish or reuse the battery.
Innovation Solution
A system using an electro-adhesive layer between the battery and the electronic device, where a current of predetermined magnitude is applied to weaken the bond, allowing for quick and damage-free battery removal without special tooling, using an interface stack with conductive layers and insulating adhesive layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional adhesive bonding is used to attach the battery to the electronic device, then the bond strength is sufficient to hold the battery securely, but the battery replacement process becomes time-consuming and requires special tools
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive's bond strength is changed by applying an electrical parameter (voltage or current) that triggers a chemical reaction in the electro-adhesive material, transforming it from a strong bonding state to a weakened state, enabling easy battery removal without mechanical tools
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical process of battery removal requiring special tools and force is replaced by an electrical field application that chemically modifies the adhesive, allowing the battery to be detached by simple manual separation without mechanical intervention
2Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical removal methods are used, then the battery can be removed, but the device or battery may be damaged and special tooling is required
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical removal tools and forces that risk damaging components are replaced by applying an electrical field across the adhesive layer, which chemically weakens the bond and allows damage-free battery separation through gentle manual manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The electro-adhesive material serves as an intermediary between the battery and device, accepting electrical energy to trigger a chemical reaction that weakens its own bonding properties, thereby enabling safe separation without direct mechanical contact with the battery or device components
3Stability of the object's composition
If a strong permanent adhesive is used to secure the battery, then the battery remains firmly attached during operation, but battery replacement requires special tools and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive bond transitions from a static permanent state to a dynamic controllable state, where application of an electrical field temporarily modifies the adhesive's chemical properties to enable removal, while maintaining strong bonding during normal operation without special environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive's chemical state is changed by applying an electrical parameter, transforming it from a stable bonded state to a weakened state that allows easy separation, eliminating the need for special tools and environmental conditions previously required
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
Enables rapid battery detachment in minutes without damaging the device or battery, allowing for easy replacement and reuse, and can be done using inexpensive tooling or without an external voltage source.
Implementation Method 1
When a current of predetermined magnitude is directed through the electro-adhesive between a first electrode and a second electrode, a chemical reaction weakens a bond between the battery and the electronic device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A system for electrically de-bonding a battery from an electronic device includes an electro-adhesive layer within a coupling between the battery and the electronic device. When a current a of predetermined magnitude is directed through the electro-adhesive between a first electrode and a second electrode, the electro-adhesive initiates a chemical reaction that weakens a bond between the battery and the electronic device.