Water Activated Battery with Liquid Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional AA and AAA batteries deteriorate in performance over time during storage, and existing water-activatable batteries are complex and costly, with parts being prone to loss, making them unreliable in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A battery design featuring a casing with a chamber containing compressed electrolyte powder rings, a permeable separator sheet, and a conductive layer, along with a liquid release mechanism that allows ion flow between the electrolyte powder and zinc material upon liquid ingress, minimizing complexity and cost while preventing part loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional off-the-shelf batteries are used, then they are readily available and simple in structure, but they deteriorate in performance over time during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is divided into separate functional components: electrolyte powder, zinc material, conductive layer, and liquid release mechanism. These components are stored separately and only combined when activated by liquid ingress, preventing deterioration during storage while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery components are prepared in advance in an inactive state with all necessary materials (electrolyte powder, zinc material, conductive layer) already in place but not yet combined. The activation occurs preliminarily only when liquid is introduced, ensuring the battery is ready for immediate use without degradation during storage.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If existing water-activatable batteries are used, then they can be stored for long periods without performance loss, but their structure and material composition are unduly complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (electrolyte powder, zinc material, conductive layer, separator sheet) are merged into a single integrated battery structure that activates as a unified system when liquid is introduced. This reduces overall complexity compared to separate activated components while maintaining long-term storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery design uses universal, simple materials and structures that can serve multiple functions: the permeable separator sheet acts as both a physical barrier during storage and an ion conduit during operation; the conductive layer serves as both structural support and electrical conductor. This multi-functionality reduces the number of specialized components needed.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If existing water-activatable batteries are used, then they can be stored for long periods without performance loss, but parts of the batteries may be accidentally lost rendering them useless
Solution Approach 1:
The battery components are nested within each other in a hierarchical structure: the separator sheet surrounds the zinc material, which is surrounded by electrolyte powder, all contained within the battery casing. This nested arrangement ensures that no component can be lost independently - if one component remains, the others are contained within or attached to it.
Solution Approach 2:
All critical battery components (electrolyte powder, zinc material, conductive layer, separator sheet) are merged into a single integrated assembly that activates together when liquid is introduced. This merging ensures that if any part is lost, the entire assembly is compromised, preventing the scenario where some parts survive separately but cannot function together.
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 design enhances reliability and performance by allowing long-term storage without performance loss, reduces manufacturing complexity and cost, and minimizes part loss, making the batteries more suitable for critical applications.
Implementation Method 1
configured for allowing release of a liquid in the chamber to activate an ion flow between the electrolyte powder and the zinc material via the permeable separator sheet
Implementation Method 2
whereby a potential difference is generated between the conductive layer and the conductive member in response to said activated ion flow
Data Source
AI summary
A battery includes a battery casing defining a chamber therein, and an electrolyte powder disposed in the chamber. The electrolyte powder is configured to surround a zinc material that is separated from the electrolyte powder by a permeable separator sheet. The battery also includes a conductive member having a first end configured for electrical communication with an anode terminal of the battery, and, a second end configured for electrical communication with the zinc material. A conductive layer is also disposed between an inner surface of the casing and the electrolyte powder, the conductive layer being configured for electrical communication with a cathode terminal of the battery. There is also a liquid release mechanism configured for allowing release of a liquid in the chamber to activate an ion flow between the electrolyte powder and the zinc material via the permeable separator sheet.