Flood Sensor Primary Battery Self-Activation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flood sensors require periodic battery replacement and lack a mechanism for power supply during detection, especially in outdoor or hard-to-reach locations where manual intervention is impossible.
Innovation Solution
A flood sensor with a primary battery comprising a positive electrode, negative electrode, and a separator that forms an electrolyte solution upon flooding, generating power to drive a notification unit for alerting purposes, utilizing a biodegradable design to minimize environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a conventional battery is used in a flood sensor, then the sensor can operate continuously, but the battery requires periodic replacement and cannot supply power in situations where manual intervention is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable primary battery that is discarded after use rather than recharged or replaced multiple times. The battery is designed for long-term storage without electrolyte, then activated once during flooding events, eliminating the need for periodic maintenance or replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery is pre-assembled with electrodes and separator in a dry state during manufacturing, with electrolyte omitted until activation. This preliminary preparation allows the battery to be stored indefinitely without degradation, then activated on-demand when flooding occurs, eliminating the need for periodic battery replacement.
2Power
If an electrolyte solution is injected into a battery at the time of use, then the battery can generate power, but a person must be involved to inject the electrolyte solution
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system performs self-activation through capillary action. The separator automatically absorbs water from the surrounding environment when flooded, dissolving the electrolyte and initiating power generation without requiring any manual intervention. The battery serves itself by utilizing the flooding condition to activate its own power generation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator acts as an intermediary between the solid electrolyte and water. It absorbs water through capillary action and facilitates the dissolution of the electrolyte, enabling automatic activation of the battery when flooding occurs, without requiring manual electrolyte injection.
3Reliability
If a flood sensor operates continuously to detect and notify flooding, then reliable detection is achieved, but the battery consumes power continuously requiring periodic replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The battery operates in a periodic manner: it remains dormant during normal conditions and activates only during flooding events. The notification unit similarly operates periodically, triggering only when water reaches the sensor, thereby minimizing power consumption while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the electrolyte from the battery system during storage, keeping only the solid electrolyte precursor and separator. This extraction allows the battery to remain inactive and preserve power during non-flooding periods, while enabling activation when needed, thus extending the effective operational duration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are installed in nature for IoT applications, then monitoring capability is expanded, but battery replacement becomes impossible in hard-to-reach locations
Solution Approach 1:
The flood sensor system uses a disposable primary battery designed for long-term storage and single-use activation. The sensor can be deployed in remote or inaccessible locations without concern for battery replacement, as the battery is intended to last the entire operational lifetime of the sensor or be replaced as a complete unit if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery is pre-configured during manufacturing with all necessary components (electrodes, separator, solid electrolyte) in a dormant state. This preliminary preparation enables the sensor to be installed in remote locations and remain operational indefinitely until activated by flooding, eliminating the need for future maintenance or replacement interventions.
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 long-term operation of flood sensors without self-discharge, allowing for extended periods of functionality exceeding 10 years, with reduced environmental burden and easy deployment in nature, while providing reliable notification of flooding events.
Implementation Method 1
When the separator is flooded, the electrolyte is dissolved in water to form an electrolyte solution
Data Source
AI summary
A flood sensor includes a notification unit that notifies of detection of flooding, and a primary battery. The primary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator that is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and to which an electrolyte adheres. When the separator is flooded, the electrolyte is dissolved in water to form an electrolyte solution, and the primary battery starts generating power to supply power necessary for driving the notification unit.