Battery Module Charging Priority Control for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing battery systems require frequent recharging and replacement of battery modules, which is labor-intensive due to the difficulty in unloading, loading, and replacing modules, especially those located at the bottom of the container, and the need for specialized cables and manual labor.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that prioritize charging and discharging of battery modules based on their unloading, loading, and replacement difficulty, with higher priority given to modules that are harder to access, ensuring they are charged more efficiently and less frequently, while easier-to-access modules are charged less, thereby reducing manual labor and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If battery modules are arranged in a container with limited openings, then the battery system structure is compact and space-efficient, but the unloading and loading of battery modules becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple racks, with each rack containing a subset of battery modules. This segmentation allows the opening to service multiple racks sequentially, reducing the frequency of opening operations compared to servicing all modules from a single opening, thereby decreasing manual labor while maintaining compact structure
Solution Approach 2:
Battery modules are pre-charged outside the container before being loaded into the battery system. This preliminary charging action eliminates the need for complex in-container charging mechanisms and reduces the frequency of opening the container for charging operations, thus maintaining compactness while improving operational ease
2Reliability
If battery modules are charged frequently to maintain system power, then the battery system remains operational, but the unloading, loading, and replacement operations increase manual labor and reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple battery modules are electrically connected in parallel within each rack, allowing them to function as a unified power source. This merging enables the system to maintain operational reliability even when individual modules are replaced, as the remaining modules continue to provide power during replacement operations
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system includes monitoring equipment that automatically detects the charge status and health of individual modules. When a module requires replacement, the system can automatically identify and isolate it, enabling rapid replacement without manual inspection and thereby improving productivity while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If specialized electrical cables and connectors are used for battery module charging, then the charging process is electrically reliable, but the connection task becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connectors are designed with universal compatibility across all rack types and battery module configurations. A single connector design can be used throughout the entire battery system, eliminating the need for specialized cables for different module types and reducing connection time while maintaining electrical reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A standardized electrical interface is introduced as an intermediary between the charging equipment and battery modules. This intermediate connector design allows for quick connection and disconnection while ensuring reliable electrical contact, thereby reducing connection time without compromising charging reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery module charging and discharging control method comprising: determining the charging priority of battery modules in a battery system; raising the charging priority of the battery modules that are more difficult to unload, load, and/or replace; lowering the charging priority of the battery modules that are easier to unload, load, and/or replace; causing the battery modules with higher charging priority to take precedence over the battery modules with lower charging priority during the charging control of the battery modules; determining the discharging priority of the battery modules; raising the discharging priority of the battery modules that are easier to unload, load, and/or replace; and lowering the discharging priority of the battery modules that are more difficult to unload, load, and/or replace; causing the battery modules with higher discharging priority to take precedence over the battery modules with lower discharging priority during the discharging control of the battery modules.