Connector Unit Vibration Isolation for Battery Rack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy storage systems are susceptible to damage from vibrations caused by earthquakes or external impacts, leading to breaks in electrical connections between trays and racks.
Innovation Solution
The energy storage system incorporates a connector unit with floating washers and fasteners that vibrate together with the trays, along with elastic members and anchors in the rack to absorb and suppress vibrations, preventing breaks in electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid fastening is used to securely connect trays to racks, then connection strength is improved, but vulnerability to vibration damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector unit is designed to be dynamically coupled to the tray, allowing it to vibrate together with the tray during seismic events or external impacts. This dynamic coupling prevents the connector from acting as a rigid constraint that would amplify vibration stresses, thereby preventing electrical connection breaks while maintaining secure attachment under normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanism transitions between different connection states - rigid fastening under normal conditions provides secure attachment, while during vibrations the connector allows relative movement through controlled loosening or flexible coupling. This parameter change enables the system to adapt its mechanical properties based on operational conditions, maintaining both strength and vibration resistance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If flexible coupling is used to reduce vibration transmission, then vibration resistance is improved, but connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector unit employs dynamic coupling that adapts its characteristics based on operational conditions. During normal operation, it maintains stable rigid connection for electrical connectivity. During vibrations, it transitions to a flexible state that allows the tray and connector to vibrate together, preventing connection breaks while maintaining overall system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic members are pre-installed in the connector unit to provide preliminary cushioning against vibration impacts. This preliminary anti-action prepares the connection to absorb and mitigate vibration energies before they can cause damage to electrical connections, while not interfering with normal stable operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If elastic members are added to suppress vibrations, then vibration absorption is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic members are integrated into the existing connector unit structure, merging the vibration absorption function with the electrical connection function. This integration allows the connector to perform dual functions - maintaining electrical connectivity and suppressing vibrations - without requiring separate dedicated vibration isolation components, thereby minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic members function as flexible elements within the connector, providing vibration absorption through elastic deformation. These flexible components are strategically placed to cushion vibration impacts while maintaining the structural integrity and electrical connectivity of the connector-tray assembly, achieving vibration protection with minimal structural modification.
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
The solution effectively prevents electrical connection breaks during vibrations, ensuring the stability and reliability of the energy storage system by securely connecting trays to the rack and reducing the impact of seismic or external shocks.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elastic members at sides of the shelf for facilitating the insertion of the tray, absorbing vibration applied to the rack
Implementation Method 2
securing the tray with an elastic force
Implementation Method 3
the connector unit being configured to connect to the tray inserted into the rack and to vibrate together with the tray
Implementation Method 4
an anchor at an outer surface of the rack for securing the rack to an external surface and reducing the vibration applied to the rack
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage system including a battery cell, a tray for receiving the battery cell, and a rack for receiving the tray. The rack includes a connector unit. The connector unit is configured to connect to the tray inserted into the rack and to vibrate together with the tray when the tray vibrates due to, for example, an earth quake or external impact applied to the rack, thereby preventing an electric connection between the tray and the connector unit from being broken.