Conductive Plate for Reducing Inductive Losses in Electrical Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connections in energy storage systems and inverters experience high inductive losses and eddy currents due to increasing AC components, leading to overvoltages, component stress, and electromagnetic compatibility issues, especially at higher frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement involves flat, spaced-apart connection lugs connected in pairs with an electrically conductive plate positioned below them, which is insulated from the lugs, to reduce eddy currents and inductive losses by generating a magnetic field opposing the AC current-induced field, thereby lowering effective inductance and energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional electrical connections are used in energy storage systems, then the system can operate with standard components and simple structure, but inductive losses and eddy currents increase significantly at higher AC frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
An electrically conductive plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the connection lugs and the housing. This plate serves as a mediator that generates eddy currents to counteract the magnetic fields from AC currents in the connection lugs, thereby reducing inductive losses without fundamentally redesigning the entire connection structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful eddy currents that cause energy losses into a beneficial effect. By intentionally allowing eddy currents to flow in the conductive plate, these currents generate opposing magnetic fields that cancel out the inductive effects of AC currents in the connection lugs, transforming a harmful phenomenon into a solution for reducing inductive losses.
2Power
If AC currents with increasing frequency are removed from energy storage cells, then the system can deliver higher power output, but inductive losses and eddy currents increase leading to overvoltages and component stress
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive plate is positioned and configured in advance to generate opposing magnetic fields before the harmful effects of high-frequency AC currents occur. The plate's eddy currents create a preemptive counter-action that reduces the inductive effects and prevents overvoltages and component stress before they can damage the system.
3Device complexity
If connection lugs are arranged in staggered or overlapping configurations, then inductance can be reduced, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging connection lugs in complex staggered or overlapping configurations in the horizontal plane, the invention moves the solution to the vertical dimension by introducing a conductive plate beneath the lugs. This dimensional shift allows for simple planar lug arrangements while achieving inductance reduction through the vertical placement of the conductive plate.
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 significantly reduces inductive and ohmic losses, improves electromagnetic compatibility, and enhances the dynamics of energy storage modules by minimizing load output delays, potentially eliminating buffer capacitors and reducing installation space and costs.
Implementation Method 1
eddy currents are generated in the electrically conductive plate, which generate a magnetic field that is directed oppositely to the magnetic field generated by means of the AC currents
Implementation Method 2
the electrically conductive plate is arranged below the first and second connection lugs... eddy currents are generated in the electrically conductive plate, which generate a magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
losses in the current carrying regions as well as eddy currents in electrically conductive surfaces, for example in the housing, occur at operating frequencies in the kHz range as a result of the skin effect
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a first electrical component, which has a pair of flat, spaced-apart first connection lugs, a second electrical component, which has a pair of flat, spaced-apart second connection lugs, wherein the first and second connection lugs are in each case connected in pairs in an electrically conductive manner, and an electrically conductive plate which is electrically insulated from the first and second connection lugs and which is arranged below the first and second connection lugs in the plane of the surfaces of the first and second connection lugs.