Modular Energy Storage Capacity Scaling for Endurance Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing energy storage products on the market have similar functions but differ in capacity, leading to increased development costs due to the need for separate products for various user groups with different usage requirements.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system comprising a primary energy-storage-apparatus and an auxiliary energy-storage-apparatus, where the primary apparatus includes a main controller, energy-storage-groups, and interfaces for power supply and auxiliary machines, allowing flexible adjustment of total battery capacity by prioritizing charging and discharging based on remaining energy levels to meet different endurance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate energy storage products with different battery capacities are developed for various user groups, then different endurance requirements can be met, but development costs and individual product costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system is divided into a primary energy storage apparatus and multiple auxiliary energy storage apparatuses. The primary apparatus contains a first energy storage group, while each auxiliary apparatus contains a second energy storage group. This segmentation allows users to combine different numbers of auxiliary apparatuses with the primary apparatus to achieve different total capacities and endurance levels, eliminating the need to develop multiple complete product variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary energy storage apparatus is designed with universal interfaces (first auxiliary machine interfaces) that can connect to multiple types of auxiliary energy storage apparatuses. This universal design allows a single primary apparatus model to work with various auxiliary apparatuses, enabling one product platform to serve multiple user groups with different capacity needs through flexible combinations.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single energy storage apparatus with fixed battery capacity is produced, then development costs are reduced, but the system cannot meet different endurance requirements of various user groups
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed-capacity design to a dynamic, reconfigurable architecture. Users can dynamically adjust the total energy storage capacity by connecting or disconnecting auxiliary energy storage apparatuses based on their specific endurance needs. The main controller dynamically manages power distribution between the primary and auxiliary energy storage groups, optimizing performance for different usage scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary energy storage apparatuses are designed to be nested with or attached to the primary energy storage apparatus. When auxiliary apparatuses are not needed, they can be disconnected or removed. When additional capacity is required, they are connected to the primary apparatus, creating a nested configuration that adapts to different capacity requirements while maintaining a core single apparatus design.
3Quantity of substance
If the primary energy storage apparatus carries all energy storage responsibility, then the system structure is simple, but portability is reduced when long endurance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The total energy storage capacity is segmented across multiple independent apparatuses rather than concentrated in one large apparatus. The primary apparatus maintains a base capacity for essential needs, while auxiliary apparatuses provide additional capacity that can be carried separately or attached as needed. This segmentation allows users to optimize the portability-capacity tradeoff by carrying only the necessary components for their specific journey or usage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring users to carry a complete energy storage system with maximum capacity from the outset, the system enables partial action by allowing users to carry only the primary apparatus for short trips or basic needs. Auxiliary apparatuses can be added later or separately carried when additional endurance is required, avoiding the burden of carrying unnecessary excess capacity for every usage scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage system, a primary energy-storage-apparatus, and an auxiliary energy-storage-apparatus are provided in embodiments of the disclosure. The energy storage system includes a primary energy-storage-apparatus and a first auxiliary energy-storage-apparatus. The primary energy-storage-apparatus includes a main controller, a first battery group, at least one power-supply-interface, and a first auxiliary machine-interface. The at least one power-supply-interface is connectable to an electronic device. The main controller is configured to control the first battery group or the first auxiliary energy-storage-apparatus to power the electronic device.