Battery Swapping Station Power Switching During Grid Interruptions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery swapping stations face challenges in maintaining stable operation during power supply interruptions, such as power failures or system errors, due to their reliance on external power sources and limited battery capacity.

Innovation Solution

A battery-pack-based battery swapping station is designed with an external power grid, chargers, a controller, and a main power source. The controller determines the system's operation state and switches to using stored battery pack power when external power is unavailable, ensuring continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the battery swapping station relies on external power sources for operation, then the station can be charged with power from the system, but the station cannot operate stably during power supply interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable operationVSAvoidpower supply flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power source switching capability that allows the battery swapping station to adapt between external power supply and internal battery power supply based on real-time power availability. The system dynamically transitions between charging mode and power supply mode, ensuring continuous operation during power interruptions without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes its operational parameters by switching between different power supply states. When external power is available, the station operates in charging mode with positive power flow from grid to battery. When external power fails, the system parameter changes to power supply mode with reversed power flow from battery to load, maintaining stable operation throughout the transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the battery capacity is limited, then the station structure remains compact, but the station cannot supply sufficient power during power interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capacityVSAvoidbattery storage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system serves dual purposes: it acts as energy storage for charging operations during normal conditions and as an emergency power source during interruptions. The same battery infrastructure provides power supply capabilities without requiring additional dedicated backup power generation equipment, achieving self-service functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The battery pack performs multiple functions within the system: it stores energy for charging electric vehicles, supplies power during grid interruptions, and maintains station operations. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve adequate power supply capacity using the existing battery volume without requiring separate backup power systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the system uses unidirectional power transmission from external sources, then the power flow is simple to control, but the system cannot utilize stored battery energy during power failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower control simplicityVSAvoidoperation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power transmission system transitions from static unidirectional control to dynamic bidirectional control. The system automatically adjusts power flow direction based on operational mode: charging mode accepts power from the grid, while power supply mode exports energy from the battery to maintain station operations during interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system inverts the normal power flow direction during emergency conditions. Instead of power flowing only from external sources to the battery, the system reverses the flow to export stored battery energy back to the grid or local loads, enabling continuous operation during power failures while maintaining relatively simple control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution enables the battery swapping station to operate stably even during power interruptions, maintaining communication and swapping with electric vehicles, utilizing stored energy, and improving system operation and electricity demand.

Implementation Method 1

a bidirectional converter configured to transform power from the battery pack to power the main power source and charger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS12218544B2Battery swapping station having mode in which battery pack is operated at time of power supply interruption

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a battery swapping station having a mode in which a battery pack is operated at the time of power supply interruption that is capable of, when the supply of power to a battery swapping station (BSS) configured to charge a swappable battery is interrupted due to power failure or system error, enabling the BSS system to be operated without interruption.