Modular Energy Storage Device With Bypass Coupling For Stable DC Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy storage devices with series-connected battery modules are rendered useless if a single module malfunctions, leading to power reductions and system failures, and cannot provide a constant DC voltage for electric vehicle systems.
Innovation Solution
A modular energy storage device with at least two energy supply branches, each with series-connected energy storage modules and coupling devices that can selectively bypass or connect energy storage cell modules, coupled to a DC voltage supply circuit featuring a bridge circuit and module tap circuit to provide a stable DC voltage for electric vehicle systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering 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 malfunctioning module renders the entire strand useless
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is divided into multiple independent energy supply branches, each capable of operating autonomously. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functionality even when individual branches or modules fail, resolving the reliability issue while preserving power capacity through parallel branch operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each energy supply branch is equipped with its own coupling device that can independently control and bypass faulty modules within that specific branch. This localized control ensures that failures in one branch do not propagate to other branches, maintaining overall system reliability while preserving the series-connected power capacity of healthy modules.
2Reliability
If a single battery module malfunctions in a series circuit, then the reliability is improved by having backup modules, but the power output deteriorates because the entire strand becomes useless
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple independent energy supply branches, each with its own coupling device. When a module fails in one branch, only that branch is affected, while other branches continue to deliver power output, thus maintaining overall system power capacity while improving reliability through fault isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling devices dynamically control the connection and bypassing of battery modules based on their operational status. When a module malfunctions, the coupling device dynamically reconfigures the circuit to bypass the faulty module and maintain power flow through healthy modules, preserving power output while ensuring reliability.
3Reliability
If coupling devices are added to each energy storage module to enable selective bypassing, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex protection mechanisms to each individual module, the system segments the overall circuit into branches with coupling devices positioned at branch level. This reduces the complexity per module while maintaining reliability through branch-level fault isolation and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device serves multiple functions: it controls the connection of energy storage modules to the output, bypasses faulty modules, and enables flexible configuration of the energy supply branches. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage device and a DC voltage supply circuit. The energy storage device has at least two energy supply branches connected in parallel. Each of the energy supply branches has a multiplicity of energy storage modules having an energy storage cell module with at least one energy storage cell and a coupling device. The coupling device switches the energy storage cell module selectively into the corresponding energy supply branch or bypasses said energy storage cell module in the energy supply branch. The DC voltage supply circuit has a bridge circuit switchably connected to a first or a second of feed nodes coupled to output connections of the energy storage device.