Dual Battery Power Storage System for Rapid Load Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power storage systems face challenges in rapidly increasing output voltage to external load apparatuses when using storage batteries with large capacities, particularly when the amount of generated power is small, leading to delayed activation of load apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

A power storage system comprising a first storage battery with a smaller capacity and a second storage battery with a larger capacity, along with a switch unit and changeover unit that compares voltage thresholds to control the electrical connection between the batteries, allowing power to be supplied from the first battery until it reaches a certain threshold, then switching to the second battery to rapidly increase output voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a storage battery with large capacity is used to store power generated by environmental power generation, then the power storage capacity is improved, but the time taken to charge the battery and activate the load apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower storage capacityVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The power storage system is divided into two separate storage batteries: a first storage battery with smaller capacity that charges quickly, and a second storage battery with larger capacity for extended power supply. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both fast initial charging and sufficient total power storage capacity, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and charging time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of moving object

If a storage battery with large capacity is used to ensure continuous operation of the load apparatus, then the duration of operation is improved, but the time taken until the load apparatus is activated increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation durationVSAvoidactivation delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first storage battery is charged in advance by environmental power generation until it reaches a predetermined voltage threshold. Once charged, it immediately supplies power to activate the load apparatus without waiting for the larger second storage battery to charge. This preliminary action ensures the load apparatus is activated quickly while the second battery continues charging in the background, resolving the contradiction between operation duration and activation delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If power is supplied only from the first storage battery, then the activation time is reduced, but the total power supply capacity is insufficient for continuous operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation speedVSAvoidtotal power supply capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the power supply capabilities of two storage batteries: the first storage battery provides immediate power for quick activation, while the second storage battery provides additional power capacity for continuous operation. The power supply unit coordinates both batteries to work together, combining their individual strengths to achieve both fast activation and sufficient total power supply capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Quantity of substance

If the voltage threshold for switching between batteries is set high, then the power supply capacity is improved, but the time to reach the threshold voltage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply capacityVSAvoidtime to reach threshold voltage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Different voltage thresholds are applied to different storage batteries based on their local characteristics. The first storage battery uses a lower voltage threshold that can be reached quickly, enabling fast activation. The second storage battery uses a higher voltage threshold for maximum power capacity. This localized quality approach allows each battery to operate optimally within its own threshold range, resolving the contradiction between power supply capacity and time to reach threshold voltage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration enables rapid voltage increase to the external load apparatus even before the second storage battery is fully charged, preventing wasteful power consumption and ensuring continuous operation of the load apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a first storage battery that is configured to be supplied with power generated by a power generation element performing environmental power generation and to supply power to an external load apparatus; a second storage battery that is configured to have a capacity larger than a capacity of the first storage battery, and to supply power to the external load apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS9997954B2Power storage system and power storage method
Publication Date: 2018.06.12 FUJIKURA LTD

AI summary

A power storage system includes: a first storage battery that is configured to be supplied with power generated by a power generation element performing environmental power generation and to supply power to an external load apparatus; a second storage battery that is configured to have a capacity larger than a capacity of the first storage battery, and to supply power to the external load apparatus; a first switch unit that performs switching between an electrical connection state and disconnection state between the first storage battery and the second storage battery; and a first changeover unit that compares a voltage of the first storage battery with a first threshold voltage which is equal to or higher than a voltage causing the external load apparatus to be operated, and controls the first switch unit according to a comparison result.