Energy Storage Security Apparatus with State Machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy storage systems lack robust security measures, making them vulnerable to arbitrary or malicious manipulation, which can lead to system configuration changes, electric shocks, or fires when locks are damaged or tampered with.

Innovation Solution

A security apparatus for energy storage systems incorporating a sensor input unit, a security state machine, and a human machine interface (HMI) that allows only authorized personnel to manipulate the system by switching between user, manager, and error modes based on predefined security state conditions, utilizing door opening and closing sensors, and potentially camera sensors for image capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple lock mechanism is used for security, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of security protection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity mechanism complexityVSAvoidsecurity protection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The security mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: door opening/closing sensor, locking/unlocking sensor, security state machine, and HMI unit. Each component performs a specific function, and together they form a comprehensive security system that is more reliable than a simple lock while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary security verification through the security state machine before allowing any manipulation of the energy storage system. The state machine pre-establishes security states and transition conditions, checking sensor inputs against predefined security protocols before permitting door access or system operations, thereby ensuring reliable security protection in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a comprehensive security system with multiple sensors and state verification is implemented, then the reliability of security protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity protection reliabilityVSAvoidsecurity mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The HMI unit serves multiple functions: it displays security status information, receives user inputs for security verification, provides feedback during state transitions, and communicates system status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby improving security reliability while controlling overall device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The door opening/closing sensor and locking/unlocking sensor are integrated into a unified security monitoring system managed by the security state machine. The HMI unit combines display, input, and communication functions into a single interface. This merging of related functions into integrated components improves system reliability through coordinated operation while reducing the total number of discrete parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If security verification procedures are made more rigorous with multiple steps, then the security protection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity verification reliabilityVSAvoidsystem manipulation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The HMI unit provides continuous feedback to the user during the security verification process, displaying the current security state and guiding the user through the required steps. The system monitors sensor inputs and provides real-time feedback on whether security conditions are met, allowing users to understand the verification process and complete it efficiently, thus maintaining ease of operation despite rigorous multi-step verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The security state machine dynamically transitions between different security states based on sensor inputs and verification results. The system adapts its verification requirements based on the current state and the specific operation being attempted, making the security process flexible and responsive rather than rigid, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining high security standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9852558B2Security apparatus for energy storage system
Publication Date: 2017.12.26 LSIS CO LTD
  • US9852558B2 patent drawing
  • US9852558B2 patent drawing
  • US9852558B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A security apparatus for an energy storage system is provided. The security apparatus includes a sensor input unit receiving security state information including door opening and closing and locking/unlocking from a door opening and closing sensor and a locking/unlocking sensor; a human machine interface (HMI) unit receiving information from a user or showing the information to the user; and a security state machine allowing manipulation of the energy storage system depending on whether security state information obtained through the sensor input unit satisfies a security state condition having a plurality of procedures in order.