Battery Interface Module for Universal Charging and Safe Discharging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical energy stores require manufacturer-specific chargers and interfaces, leading to safety risks and high costs due to complex AC/DC conversion and proprietary connections, limiting their universal use and safety.
Innovation Solution
An interface module with a proprietary interface for energy stores and universal interfaces for charging and discharging, using an electronic unit to translate protocols and manage voltage/current to ensure safe and efficient charging/discharging, compatible with standard chargers and consumers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manufacturer-specific proprietary interfaces and complex AC/DC conversion electronics are used for charging electrochemical energy stores, then charging safety and protocol compliance are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface module serves as an intermediary device between the electrochemical energy store and the charger. It includes a first interface unit that connects to the energy store and a second interface unit that connects to the charger, with conversion electronics that translate between proprietary charging protocols and universal interfaces. This mediator approach allows safe charging without requiring the energy store itself to have complex proprietary charging electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system is segmented into separate functional components: the electrochemical energy store, the interface module (which can be an adapter or integrated into the consumer device), and the charger. This segmentation allows the complex protocol conversion and safety functions to be isolated in the interface module, keeping the energy store design simple while maintaining charging safety.
2Reliability
If manufacturer-specific proprietary interfaces are used for electrochemical energy stores, then charging protocol compliance and safety are improved, but adaptability to different chargers and consumers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interface module provides universal functionality by supporting multiple interface types. The second interface unit can include universal interfaces such as USB Type-C, allowing connection to various chargers and consumer devices. The conversion electronics enable the same interface module to work with different proprietary energy store interfaces while maintaining a single universal interface to the outside world.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface module acts as a protocol translator and adapter, mediating between the proprietary interface of the electrochemical energy store and universal interfaces of chargers and consumers. This allows the energy store to maintain its proprietary protocol for safety and compliance while gaining universal compatibility through the translating interface module.
3Reliability
If complex AC/DC conversion electronics are integrated into chargers for electrochemical energy stores, then charging control and safety are improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface module serves as an intermediary that handles the complex AC/DC conversion and protocol translation functions. This allows the use of simpler, lower-cost chargers that don't need to integrate complex conversion electronics, while the interface module (which can be a separate adapter) provides the necessary conversion and control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface module can be designed as a relatively simple, potentially disposable or replaceable adapter that handles the complex conversion functions. This is more economical than integrating complex electronics into every charger or energy store unit, as the interface module can be produced at lower cost and replaced if needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An interface module for charging and discharging an electrochemical energy store for an electrical consumer, in particular for an electric-motor-powered vehicle, includes a first interface and at least one second interface that is electrically connected to the first interface. The first interface is designed, in particular of proprietary design, such that the interface module is connectable to a corresponding counterpart of the electrochemical energy store. The at least one second interface is of universal design such that the interface module is connectable to a corresponding counterpart interface of an external constant-voltage or constant-current source for the purpose of charging the electrochemical energy store. The at least one second interface is further connectable to a corresponding counterpart interface of a further electrical consumer for the purpose of discharging the electrochemical energy store.