Surface-Mediated Cells for Rapid Recharge Power Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable power tools face challenges with battery systems that have low power density and long recharge times, while supercapacitors provide high power density but low energy storage, making it difficult to create a compact, lightweight power source that can be rapidly recharged and deliver both high energy and power.
Innovation Solution
The use of surface-mediated cells (SMCs) that facilitate lithium ion exchange between anode and cathode surfaces, eliminating the need for solid-state diffusion and allowing for rapid charging and discharging, combined with internal series or parallel connections to optimize voltage and current output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional batteries are used to power portable tools, then energy storage capacity is adequate, but power density is low and recharge time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the power delivery function by using multiple small-capacity supercapacitor modules connected in parallel, where each module can independently deliver peak current. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high power density while maintaining manageable individual component sizes and enabling faster overall recharge time compared to a single large battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges battery technology with supercapacitor technology into a hybrid power system. The battery provides sustained energy storage while the supercapacitor modules provide high-power bursts and rapid charging capability. This combination resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to achieve both adequate energy storage and high power density with fast recharge.
2Power
If supercapacitors are used to provide high power density, then power delivery is excellent, but energy storage capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines supercapacitor modules with a battery in a hybrid architecture where the supercapacitors handle high-power demands and the battery provides sustained energy storage. This merging allows the system to achieve both high power density from the supercapacitors and adequate energy storage capacity from the battery, eliminating the trade-off between these two parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements dynamic power management where the system automatically switches between supercapacitor and battery power sources based on instantaneous power demands. During high-power bursts, the supercapacitors deliver energy; during sustained operation, the battery provides power. This dynamic allocation allows the system to achieve both high power density and adequate energy storage capacity.
3Reliability
If battery packs with protection circuitry are used, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs supercapacitor modules that inherently provide short-circuit protection and thermal stability without requiring complex external protection circuits. The supercapacitor's physical characteristics (low internal resistance, ability to handle high currents) provide built-in safety mechanisms, reducing the need for additional protection circuitry and thereby decreasing overall device complexity while maintaining operational safety.
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
SMCs achieve high energy and power densities, enabling portable power tools to be fully recharged in minutes and operate for extended cycles with reduced weight and complexity, surpassing the limitations of both battery and supercapacitor technologies.
Implementation Method 1
surface-mediated cells (SMCs) that facilitate lithium ion exchange between anode and cathode surfaces, eliminating the need for solid-state diffusion
Data Source
AI summary
A portable power tool comprises an electric motor, actuator, or light-emitting hardware and a rechargeable power source connected to the electric motor, actuator, or light-emitting hardware, wherein the power source contains at least a surface-mediated cell (SMC). The power tools include, but are not limited to, impact driver, air compressor, alligator shear, angle grinder, band saw, belt sander, biscuit joiner, ceramic tile cutter tile saw, chainsaw, circular saw, concrete saw, cold saw, crusher, diamond blade, diamond tools, disc sander, drill, floor sander, grinding machine, heat gun, impact wrench, jackhammer, jointer, jigsaw, lathe, miter saw, nail gun, needle scaler, torque wrench, powder-actuated tools, power wrench, radial arm saw, random orbital sander, reciprocating saw, rotary reciprocating saw, rotary tool, sabre saw, sander, scroll saw, steel cut off saw, table saw, thickness planer, trimmer, wall chaser, wood router, or flashlight.