DC Network Stabilization Using Industrial Truck Energy Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing direct current networks face inefficiencies due to unnecessary energy conversions, leading to energy losses, which can be mitigated by stabilizing the network using simple means without additional devices.

Innovation Solution

A network controller and measuring device stabilize the direct current network by controlling electrical consumers to adjust their power consumption or feed stored power into the grid, utilizing internal energy storage devices to balance energy demand and supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional devices are used to stabilize the DC network, then network stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling consumers to autonomously adjust their power consumption and internal energy storage devices to autonomously feed power into the DC network based on controller signals, allowing the network to stabilize itself without external intervention or additional stabilization devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies multi-functionality by having consumers perform dual functions: both consuming power and providing network stabilization through their internal energy storage devices, eliminating the need for separate stabilization equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of energy

If consumers adjust power consumption and feed stored power to stabilize the network, then energy efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy lossesVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through the network controller that receives information about network state and consumer status, then sends control signals to consumers to adjust their power consumption and energy storage operations, creating a closed-loop system that reduces energy losses while maintaining manageable control complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The network controller serves as an intermediary that coordinates between the DC network state and consumer operations, simplifying the control complexity by centralizing the decision-making logic while enabling efficient energy management through standardized communication protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4611199A1Device for stabilizing a direct current network
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 JUNGHEINRICH AG
  • EP4611199A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4611199A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4611199A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Device for stabilising a direct current network for supplying electrical consumers, wherein the electrical consumers originate from the field of intralogistics and also include industrial trucks which can be temporarily connected to the direct current network and some of which have an internal electrical energy storage device for storing electrical power, which is charged from the direct current network and can supply electrical power to the direct current network, wherein the direct current network also has a network controller which, in order to stabilise the network, controls at least one of the consumers in such a way that the electrical consumer connected to the direct current network • either reduces its power consumption and/or feeds in stored power from its internal electrical energy storage device • or draws more power and/or feeds in less stored power from an internal electrical energy storage device,Wherein, in the event of a planned increase in power consumption or a planned reduction in power supply from energy generators, the grid control sends signals to the industrial trucks to control a charging position in which there is an electrical connection to the DC grid.