Connector Mounting Port with Power State Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of storage battery units requires professional electrical work to connect them with power conditioners, which is inconvenient and poses safety risks due to the need for handling terminals and the risk of terminal degradation from spark-induced electron flow during connection.
Innovation Solution
A storage battery unit with a mounting port for a connector that can only be mounted or removed when the unit is not inputting or outputting DC power, ensuring safety by disabling power transfer during connection and preventing spark-induced terminal degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If professional electrical work is used to connect storage battery unit and power conditioner, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but installation complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
A connector is introduced as an intermediary component between the storage battery unit and power conditioner. The connector includes a plug portion that connects to the mounting port on the storage battery unit and a socket portion that connects to the power conditioner, thereby simplifying the installation process while maintaining reliable electrical connection through standardized interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection system is divided into separate modular components: the storage battery unit with mounting port, the connector with plug and socket portions, and the power conditioner. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components that can be easily connected and disconnected without requiring complex wiring work
2Duration of action of stationary object
If connector is connected during DC power input/output, then continuous power supply is maintained, but terminal degradation from spark-induced electron flow occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting port includes a movable piece that can change position based on the DC power input/output state. When DC power is being input or output, the movable piece moves to a position that prevents connector connection, thereby dynamically controlling when connection is possible to avoid spark-induced terminal degradation while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the DC power input/output state to control the position of the movable piece in the mounting port. The movable piece responds to the power state by enabling or disabling connector connection, thereby preventing terminal degradation during active power transfer while allowing connection when safe
Data Source
AI summary
A first connector for electrically connecting a first unit power terminal through a third unit power terminal to a power converter for performing conversion between a DC power and an AC power is mounted to a mounting port. In a status in which the first connector is being removed from the mounting port, it is impossible to mount the first connector to the mounting port while the first unit power terminal through the third unit power terminal are inputting and outputting a DC power, and it is possible to mount the first connector to the mounting port while the first unit power terminal through the third unit power terminal are not inputting and outputting a DC power.