Modular Battery Rack With Bypass Switches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery systems lack flexibility and efficiency in managing faulty modules, leading to rapid performance drop and premature aging, as they require complex and risky diagnostic methods that often result in costly and inconvenient interventions.

Innovation Solution

A modular battery architecture with removable boxes connected via a power bus and frame switches, allowing for seamless bypass and maintenance without power interruption, enabling easy addition or removal of modules while maintaining electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex diagnostic methods with numerous electric wires are used to observe module-level quantities, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and electrical safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule-level quantity observationVSAvoidnumber of electric wires
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a diagnostic device that communicates with battery management units through a communication bus, serving as an intermediary that enables module-level diagnostics without requiring direct physical connections to each module. This resolves the contradiction by achieving precise measurement through software-based monitoring rather than complex wiring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with an electronic communication system. Instead of using numerous electric wires to connect to each module, the system uses communication buses and software protocols to transmit diagnostic data, thereby reducing physical complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If total battery cut is performed for intervention on faulty modules, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to complete system unavailability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintervention on faulty modulesVSAvoidbattery availability during intervention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the battery system into independent, modular units with individual battery management units for each module. This segmentation allows diagnostic and maintenance operations to be performed on specific modules without affecting the entire battery system, enabling targeted intervention while maintaining overall system availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the diagnostic and control functions into separate battery management units that can operate independently. This allows faulty modules to be identified and addressed without requiring complete system shutdown, as the management functions can continue to monitor and control healthy modules while isolating problematic ones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of repair

If modular architecture with removable boxes is implemented, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases due to frame switches and power bus configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule removal and replacementVSAvoidframe switch configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic configuration of frame switches and power bus connections based on the detected presence or absence of modules. The system self-adjusts without requiring manual intervention, where the battery management unit automatically configures the electrical architecture when modules are added or removed, thereby simplifying the repair process despite the underlying complexity of the modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes electrical parameters (such as series/parallel connections and voltage levels) based on module configuration. When modules are added or removed, the system automatically adjusts the electrical architecture parameters to maintain proper operation, reducing the need for manual reconfiguration while adapting to the modular changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2681782B1Modular device for storing and generating energy
Publication Date: 2017.12.20 RENAULT SA
  • EP2681782B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2681782B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2681782B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6c

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical power supply and/or storage device comprising a plurality of electrical power supply housings (50) arranged in series, characterised in that it comprises a rack (100) provided with sites (55) for receiving housings (50) in a detachable manner, and a site (55) comprising electrical contacts (56, 57) for electrically connecting a housing (50) to the terminals (66, 67) of the electrical power supply and/or storage device by means of a power bus (65), the site being associated with a rack switch (60) in such a way that an electrical power supply can be maintained, in the absence of a certain housing in a certain site, by means of at least one other housing arranged in another site of the rack (100).