Electricity Storage System Cartridge Cross Current Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery cartridge systems face issues with cross currents and energy balancing when batteries with different residual capacities are connected, leading to inefficient energy output and potential system instability.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electricity storage system includes a cross current prevention circuit with diodes and switch circuits that restrict current flow to prevent cross currents, allowing for simultaneous discharge or charge of cartridges while maintaining a commercial voltage output, and a control circuit to manage cartridge connections and withdrawals safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If batteries with different residual capacities are connected in parallel, then the system can operate with flexible cartridge configurations, but cross currents occur causing energy loss and reduced system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diode as an intermediary component in the parallel connection path between batteries of different residual capacities. The diode allows current to flow in only one direction, blocking the reverse current that would otherwise flow from the higher-capacity battery to the lower-capacity battery, thereby preventing cross currents while maintaining the flexible parallel cartridge configuration.
2Reliability
If conventional battery packs are fixed by welding, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the system lacks modularity and cartridge replacement capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery system into modular cartridge units that can be independently connected and disconnected. Instead of fixed welding, each cartridge is equipped with terminal electrodes that establish reliable electrical connections through contact with corresponding terminals on the battery pack, enabling both connection reliability and cartridge replaceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces terminal electrodes and contact structures as intermediaries between the cartridge and battery pack. These intermediaries provide reliable electrical connection through controlled contact mechanisms (such as spring contacts or clamp connections) while allowing the cartridge to be inserted and removed, thus bridging the gap between connection reliability and replaceability.
3Power
If cartridges are connected in series, then voltage is increased, but the total dischargeable capacity is limited by the cartridge with the lowest residual capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic reconfiguration of cartridge connections, allowing the system to switch between series and parallel configurations based on operational requirements. This dynamic flexibility allows the system to optimize for voltage when needed (series connection) or for total dischargeable capacity when needed (parallel connection), overcoming the limitations of fixed series connections.
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 efficient energy utilization by preventing cross currents and allowing for safe cartridge withdrawal, ensuring maximum energy output from each cartridge without the need for energy leveling, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the system.
Implementation Method 1
a cross current prevention circuit with diodes and switch circuits that restrict current flow to prevent cross currents
Data Source
AI summary
An electricity storage system is provided that includes a plurality of cartridges connected together in parallel, each cartridge comprising a plurality of cells connected together, where each of the plurality of cartridges independently maintains a voltage convertible to a commercial voltage. The electricity storage system is configured to, upon receipt of a cartridge withdrawal signal input by a user and indicating a user's intention to withdraw any cartridge of the plurality of cartridges regardless of the operational state of a selected cartridge, including whether the selected cartridge is charging or discharging, disallow conductions with respect to the cartridge to be withdrawn and output a signal indicating that the selected cartridge is ready to be withdrawn.