Intrinsically Safe Battery Using NFC Tag Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices used in hazardous environments face risks of sparking or igniting due to their electronic components, and existing locked battery compartments are cumbersome, expensive, and not entirely preventative of these hazards.
Innovation Solution
An intrinsically safe battery pack system that uses a near field communication (NFC) tag to power the battery only when inserted into an electronic device, featuring a rechargeable battery cell, NFC antenna, and processing circuitry to convert the battery from a low power mode to a high power mode upon detection of the NFC tag, ensuring safe activation and preventing unwanted sparking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locked battery compartment is used to prevent batteries from being dislodged or rotated, then battery security is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical locked battery compartment system with an NFC-based electronic identification system. The NFC tag stores unique identifiers that are read by the device's NFC reader, enabling secure battery recognition and activation without physical locks or complex mechanical structures. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical locking mechanisms while maintaining security and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If electronic components are always powered on, then device functionality is maintained, but risk of sparking or igniting in hazardous environments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary verification through NFC tag reading before activating the battery and electronic components. The system performs identification and authentication checks in advance, ensuring the battery is properly inserted and recognized before powering on. This preliminary action prevents accidental activation and reduces sparking risk while maintaining full device functionality when properly configured.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses NFC communication to provide feedback on battery insertion status, identification verification, and activation state. The NFC reader continuously monitors the presence and validity of the NFC tag, enabling the system to maintain appropriate power states based on real-time feedback. This feedback mechanism ensures functionality when batteries are properly installed while preventing unauthorized or accidental activation.
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 system effectively prevents unwanted sparking by ensuring the battery pack remains deactivated until properly inserted, providing a safe and reliable power source for electronic devices in hazardous environments.
Implementation Method 1
an NFC antenna configured to detect a presence of an NFC tag within the electronic device
Implementation Method 2
a rechargeable battery cell configured to provide power to the electronic device, the battery cell initially in a first power mode
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack configured to be housed in an electronic device, the electronic device including a near field communication (NFC) tag, the battery back including a battery housing. The battery housing includes a rechargeable battery cell configured to provide power to the electronic device, the rechargeable battery cell initially in a first power mode, an NFC antenna configured to detect a presence of the NFC tag within the electronic device, and processing circuitry including a memory and a processor, the memory in communication with the processor, the memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to convert the rechargeable battery cell from the first power mode to a second power mode when the NFC antenna has detected the presence of the NFC tag within the electronic device.