Flexible Polyvinyl Rack Door for Energy Storage Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage systems face increased manufacturing costs and weight due to steel material usage in rack doors, which hinders weight reduction and cost efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system featuring a rack door unit made partially of flexible polyvinyl material, with a rolling mechanism and elastic operating portion for easy operation and reduced weight, along with a locking system for secure closure, to decrease product weight and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rack door is made of steel material, then the strength and durability are improved, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible material (polyvinyl) to create the door cover instead of using traditional steel materials. This flexible material provides sufficient strength for the rack door while dramatically reducing its weight, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and weight requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack door unit employs a composite structure combining a rigid rack door body with a flexible polyvinyl door cover. This composite material approach maintains the structural strength needed for rack door functionality while utilizing the lightweight properties of polyvinyl material to reduce overall weight.
2Strength
If a rack door is made of steel material, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible polyvinyl material used for the door cover can be manufactured through simpler, less costly processes compared to steel fabrication. This material choice reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while providing adequate structural integrity for the rack door application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes polyvinyl material which is inherently less expensive than steel, reducing the overall manufacturing cost of the rack door unit while maintaining sufficient durability for its intended service life in the energy storage system.
3Weight of moving object
If the rack door is made lightweight with flexible material, then the product weight is reduced, but the locking reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rack door unit is segmented into distinct functional components: a rigid rack door body for structural support and locking mechanism mounting, and a flexible polyvinyl door cover for weight reduction and protection. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to be mounted on the rigid portion, ensuring reliability while the flexible cover reduces overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines rigid and flexible materials in appropriate locations - the rigid rack door body provides stable mounting surfaces for locking mechanisms, ensuring reliable operation, while the flexible polyvinyl cover contributes to weight reduction without interfering with locking functionality.
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 system effectively reduces product weight and manufacturing costs by utilizing lightweight flexible materials for the rack door, while maintaining functionality and air circulation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic operating portion connected to the cover rolling portion and configured to guide winding or unwinding of the door cover
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an energy storage system, which includes at least one battery rack including at least one battery pack, a rack housing having an accommodation space for accommodating the at least one battery rack, and a rack door unit mounted to the rack housing to open or close the accommodation space of the rack housing and at least partially made of flexible material.