Wearable Battery USB Connector Shutdown on Conductive Liquid Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conformable wearable battery (CWB) systems face damage from hostile environments, particularly due to shorting of external connectors by conducting liquids, leading to irreversible oxidation and corrosion, which reduces the lifespan and functionality of the power storage systems.
Innovation Solution
The system detects the presence of conducting liquids between connector terminals by monitoring voltage changes using unused terminals and adjusting power supply to prevent corrosion, employing a controller with pull-up or pull-down resistors and analog-to-digital converters to determine voltage thresholds and manage power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is continuously supplied to external connectors, then the functionality and power delivery capability is maintained, but the connectors are vulnerable to corrosion and damage when exposed to conducting liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of conducting liquids using unused terminals before damage occurs. The controller monitors voltage on unused terminals to detect the presence of conducting fluids, and preemptively disables power to affected connectors, preventing corrosion before it can cause irreversible damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the voltage state of unused terminals to detect conducting liquids. When conduction is detected, the controller provides feedback to disable power to the affected connector. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt power delivery based on real-time environmental conditions, protecting connectors while maintaining functionality when safe.
2Reliability
If unused terminals are used for detection, then the corrosion protection capability is enhanced, but the connector design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unused terminals serve multiple functions: they remain available for future USB specifications that may require them, and simultaneously function as detection electrodes for conducting liquid detection. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to gain corrosion protection capability without adding dedicated detection hardware, thereby minimizing design complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own unused terminal structures to perform the detection function, rather than requiring external or dedicated detection components. The unused terminals self-serve as both potential future functional contacts and current detection elements, eliminating the need for separate sensing hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If power is disabled upon detection of conducting liquids, then the damage to connectors is prevented, but the usability and charging capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power delivery state is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously adapts power delivery based on real-time detection of conducting liquids. When conducting liquids are detected, power is disabled to protect connectors; when no conducting liquids are present, power delivery is restored. This dynamic approach allows the system to maximize usability while minimizing damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic monitoring and intermittent power restoration. After detecting conducting liquids and disabling power, the system can periodically recheck the condition and temporarily restore power for charging operations when safe, then disable again when conducting liquids are detected. This periodic action pattern balances protection with usability needs.
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
This approach effectively reduces electrolytic and galvanic corrosion, prolongs the lifespan of connectors, and maintains the functionality of CWB systems by temporarily disabling or modifying power supply to affected connectors in the presence of conducting liquids.
Implementation Method 1
one or more unused terminals may be pulled to one voltage potential and the terminals' voltages may be monitored to detect changes
Implementation Method 2
employing a controller with pull-up or pull-down resistors
Data Source
AI summary
One or more external connectors of a conformal wearable battery (CWB) may be controlled to reduce a voltage potential supplied to the connectors when exposed to a conductive liquid. The connectors may be uniform serial bus (USB) connectors or other connectors. One or more unused terminals of the one or more connectors may be pulled to a voltage potential and then monitored for a change in voltage. When the change in voltage satisfies a voltage threshold, the voltage potential supplied to the one or more connectors may be reduced and/or interrupted. The change in voltage may be evaluated against the voltage threshold alone or may be evaluated against the voltage threshold and a time threshold relating to a time after the voltage satisfied the voltage threshold. The voltage of the monitored terminal may be evaluated against one or more voltage thresholds and/or one or more time thresholds. Based on the voltage threshold having been met, the voltage supplied to the connector may be reduced or stopped.