Battery Cell Compartment Layout for Automated Cell Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage containers face issues with battery cell deterioration leading to inefficient use and high maintenance costs due to the need to replace entire battery cell packs, which are bulky and require manual intervention, causing downtime and resource waste.
Innovation Solution
The system includes battery cell compartments with access channels for easy replacement and a robot for automated battery cell swapping, along with a control method to manage battery cell performance and replace cells individually based on performance metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the whole battery cell pack is replaced when individual battery cells deteriorate, then the energy storage container can continue to be used normally, but the maintenance complexity and space requirements increase due to the bulky size of the battery cell pack and hoisting device
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cell pack is divided into multiple independent battery cell modules, each containing several battery cells. This segmentation allows individual modules to be replaced independently rather than replacing the entire pack, reducing maintenance complexity and space requirements while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the deteriorated battery cells from the battery cell pack by providing access channels that allow individual battery cells or modules to be removed and replaced. This extraction principle enables selective replacement of only the deteriorated components rather than the entire system.
2Reliability
If manual replacement of the whole battery cell pack is performed, then damaged battery cells can be replaced, but the maintenance time and resource waste increase due to the need to replace the entire pack including functional cells
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the battery cell pack into independent modules with individual access channels, the system enables targeted replacement of only deteriorated battery cells or small groups of cells, significantly reducing maintenance time compared to replacing the entire pack.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a mechanism where deteriorated battery cells are identified and removed from service while functional cells continue to operate. This selective discarding approach prevents the waste of functional cells that would occur with whole-pack replacement, thereby reducing maintenance time and resource waste.
3Reliability
If the whole battery cell pack is replaced to ensure continuous operation, then the energy storage container remains operational, but the energy density decreases due to the shutdown requirement during replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cell pack is segmented into multiple independent modules that can be maintained separately. This allows replacement of deteriorated cells in one module without shutting down the entire energy storage container, as other modules continue to provide power, thereby maintaining energy density and continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous operation of the energy storage container during battery cell replacement by allowing hot-swapping or parallel operation of battery modules. The system can maintain power supply while replacement activities occur in isolated modules, ensuring uninterrupted useful action.
4Manufacturing precision
If battery cells with similar original performance are connected in series, then the initial system performance is optimized, but the overall performance deteriorates over time due to the bucket effect where individual cell deterioration restricts the whole series branch
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the battery system into modular segments with independent access channels, the patent enables monitoring and replacement of individual deteriorated cells without affecting other cells. This segmentation mitigates the bucket effect by allowing selective maintenance, thereby improving long-term performance stability while maintaining initial performance optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates monitoring of individual battery cell performance and uses this feedback to identify deteriorated cells for replacement. This feedback mechanism allows proactive maintenance of specific cells before they cause system-wide performance degradation, improving long-term reliability while preserving initial performance characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage system, a control method, an apparatus, an electronic device and a storage medium are provided. The energy storage system includes a plurality of battery cell compartments which are electrically connected. An inner cavity of each of the battery cell compartments is adapted to a single battery cell. Each of the battery cell compartments is provided with a battery access channel exposed to an operable side. Each of the battery cell compartments provides series electrical connection between the battery cell located in the battery cell compartment and corresponding battery cell compartment, so as to form electrical connection between a plurality of battery cells located in the battery cell compartment. When a battery cell needs to be replaced, the battery cell only needs to be taken out and replaced with a new battery cell, which improves the replacement speed and reduces the space required for maintenance.