Removable Command Module for Wearable Battery Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable Conformable Wearable Batteries (CWBs) are cost-prohibitive when discharged once and abandoned, and recharging apparatus increases user equipment load with unacceptable charge times, while primary batteries lack accurate power level detection.

Innovation Solution

A multiple cell battery system with a removable and reusable command module that includes a power switch, capacity feedback, and System Management Bus (SMB) communication, utilizing a serially programmable EEPROM for data storage and communication with devices, allowing for accurate power level monitoring and reduced connection complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If rechargeable CWBs are used to provide mobile electrical power, then power capacity and smart battery functionality are improved, but cost increases and charge time becomes unacceptable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower capacityVSAvoidcharge time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into two separable components: a reusable command module containing the power switch and communication interface, and disposable battery cells. This segmentation allows the expensive command module to be reused while only the consumable battery cells are replaced, reducing overall system cost and eliminating recharge time losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs disposable primary battery cells instead of rechargeable batteries. These inexpensive, single-use cells eliminate the need for recharging, thereby removing the charge time constraint while still providing adequate power capacity for the intended application duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If primary batteries are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but power level detection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidpower level detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The command module serves as an intermediary between the disposable battery cells and the user/device. It incorporates voltage monitoring circuitry that accurately measures the battery voltage through the connection interface, providing precise power level detection despite the use of simple disposable cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through the System Management Bus (SMB) and capacity feedback indicators that continuously monitor and communicate battery status. This feedback mechanism provides accurate real-time power level information to users and connected devices, compensating for the lack of intelligent features in the disposable battery cells themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If a reusable command module is implemented, then system cost decreases through reuse, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem costVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The command module is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that can interface with different disposable battery cell configurations. It integrates the power switch, communication interface (System Management Bus), voltage monitoring, and capacity feedback capabilities into a single standardized module, reducing overall system complexity through standardization despite adding intelligence to the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If smart battery functionality is integrated into the battery, then power monitoring capability is improved, but battery weight and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower monitoring capabilityVSAvoidbattery weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The intelligent components (power switch, communication interface, monitoring circuitry) are extracted from the battery cells themselves and placed in a separate command module. This extraction allows the battery cells to remain lightweight and simple disposable units, while the weight of the intelligent components is borne by the reusable command module that can be shared across multiple battery replacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9564761B2Conformable wearable battery with removable command module

Publication Date: 2017.02.07 INVENTUS POWER DELAWARE INC

AI summary

A battery assembly has a command module with a power connection interface and a battery matrix interface. A battery matrix has a plurality of battery cells, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and a command module interface. The battery matrix interface may be removably interconnected with the command module interface, enabling power delivery from the battery matrix through the command module to the power connection interface and review of the EEPROM for capacity feedback with respect to remaining electrical power of the battery matrix.