Energy Storage Device With Parallel Branches And Selective Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Series circuits of battery modules in energy storage systems are prone to failure and power reductions due to single module failures, leading to overall system failure and inefficient power distribution.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an energy storage device with parallel energy supply branches, each comprising multiple series-connected energy storage modules with coupling elements that allow for selective switching and parallel connection of adjacent modules, enabling active charge balancing and efficient voltage regulation through a control device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If battery modules are connected in series to meet power and energy requirements, then the power and energy capacity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because a single module failure causes entire string failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower capacityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage system is divided into multiple independent energy supply branches, each comprising series-connected battery modules. This segmentation allows individual branches to operate independently, so that a failure in one branch does not propagate to other branches, thereby maintaining system reliability while achieving required power capacity through parallel configuration of multiple series branches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If multiple battery modules are connected in series, then the energy capacity is improved, but the vulnerability to single point failures increases, causing power reductions in the entire energy supply string

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy capacityVSAvoidvulnerability to failures

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into multiple independent energy supply branches connected in parallel. Each branch contains series-connected battery modules that contribute to total energy capacity. This segmentation isolates failure effects to individual branches, preventing single point failures from causing power reductions across the entire energy supply system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the configuration of energy storage modules by switching between series and parallel connections through coupling elements. This allows the system to change its electrical parameters (voltage, current distribution) in response to module failures or varying power demands, optimizing both energy capacity utilization and fault tolerance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If coupling elements are added to enable selective switching and parallel connection of modules, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidcoupling device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling elements are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as switching devices for selective connection/disconnection of energy storage modules and as coupling devices for parallel/series reconfiguration. This universal design reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If second coupling elements are added between adjacent energy storage modules for charge balancing, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge balancing capabilityVSAvoidcoupling element quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second coupling elements are merged with the existing coupling device structure, integrating charge balancing functionality into the same physical framework that provides selective switching. This merging approach enables charge balancing between adjacent energy storage modules without requiring entirely separate additional components, thereby improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9634601B2Energy storage device, system comprising an energy storage device, and method for actuating an energy storage device

Publication Date: 2017.04.25 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to an energy storage device for generating an n-phase supply voltage, wherein n>1, comprising n energy supply branches connected in parallel, which are each coupled to a respective output connection of the energy storage device, wherein each of the energy supply branches has a plurality of energy storage modules connected in series. The energy supply branches each have a respective energy storage cell module, which has at least one energy storage cell, and a respective coupling device having first coupling elements, which are designed to selectively connect the energy storage cell module into the respective energy supply branch or bypass the energy storage cell module. At least one of the energy supply branches has at least one second coupling element, which is coupled between output connections of energy storage cell modules that are adjacent in the at least one energy supply branch and which is designed to connect the coupled energy storage cell modules into the respective energy supply branch in parallel with each other.