Inflatable Battery Housing for Irregular Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional batteries with rigid casings do not fit into irregularly shaped spaces, limiting device design and causing space wastage, as they are manufactured independently of device shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
Inflatable battery housings with ionically conductive partitions and expandable casings that can be customized to fit arbitrary shapes and sizes by injecting electrode materials, allowing the battery to conform to the available space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional rigid shell casings are used for batteries, then manufacturing simplicity and structural strength are improved, but adaptability to different device shapes and sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery housing transitions from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic inflatable structure. The housing includes an inflatable casing that can be inflated to different shapes and sizes by injecting gas or liquid, allowing the battery to adapt to various device form factors while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a standardized inflatable housing design
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the battery housing (shape, size, volume) are changed by controlling the inflation process. By adjusting the amount of gas or liquid injected, the housing can achieve different dimensional configurations to match various device requirements, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adaptability
2Manufacturing precision
If batteries are manufactured with fixed shapes and sizes, then manufacturing precision and structural stability are improved, but space utilization in irregular device spaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery housing is designed as a dynamic inflatable structure that can change its volume and shape after manufacturing. The standardized inflatable housing ensures manufacturing precision, while the post-manufacturing inflation process allows the battery to precisely fit into irregular device spaces, maximizing space utilization without compromising structural stability
3Strength
If rigid battery casings are used, then structural strength and protection are improved, but design flexibility of devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable housing provides structural strength when inflated, replacing rigid casings while enabling design flexibility. The housing can be inflated to conform to various device geometries, allowing device designers to create different form factors without being constrained by fixed battery shapes, thus resolving the contradiction between structural protection and design flexibility
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional fixed-volume battery housings are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to variable device requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery housing is designed as a dynamic inflatable structure that can change its volume and shape after manufacturing. The standardized inflatable housing ensures manufacturing simplicity, while the post-manufacturing inflation process allows the battery to precisely fit into irregular device spaces, maximizing space utilization without compromising structural stability
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 batteries to effectively utilize irregular spaces, providing smaller form-factor batteries that can power devices with variable shapes and sizes without compromising design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The first inflatable casing is configured to inflate in response to an injection of the first electrode material into the first chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A battery housing can include a first chamber configured to receive a first electrode material, the first chamber bounded at least in part by a first inflatable casing. The battery housing can include a second chamber configured to receive a second electrode material, the second chamber bounded at least in part by a second inflatable casing. An ionically conductive partition can be disposed between the first and second chambers. A first electrical contact can be coupled to or formed with the first inflatable casing. A second electrical contact can be coupled to or formed with the second inflatable casing. The first inflatable casing can be configured to inflate in response to an injection of the first electrode material into the first chamber. The second inflatable casing can be configured to inflate in response to an injection of the second electrode material into the second chamber.