Network Infrastructure Component for Self-Configured Composite Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power supply networks, particularly those integrating battery units, face challenges such as manufacturer-specific components, high production and logistics costs, incompatibility leading to inefficient energy use and safety risks, and rigid control structures, which limit flexibility and scalability.

Innovation Solution

A network infrastructure component that enables flexible communication and control between nodes, allowing for self-administration and self-regulation, with a control device for load management, sensor elements for monitoring, and authentication for secure access, facilitating component compatibility and decentralized energy management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If proprietary system components are used with manufacturer-specific contacts and geometries, then system compatibility is improved, but production costs and logistics costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidproduction costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal contact unit design with standardized contact geometry and arrangement that can be used across different functional groups and manufacturers. This universal interface enables cross-compatibility while reducing the need for manufacturer-specific variants, thereby lowering production and logistics costs without compromising system compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If manufacturer-specific battery units are produced with different contacts and geometries, then system compatibility is improved, but the variety of parts becomes unmanageable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidvariety of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enforces homogeneous contact unit design across all functional groups, requiring identical contact geometry, arrangement, and electrical characteristics. This standardization eliminates the proliferation of different battery unit variants while maintaining system compatibility, reducing parts variety to a manageable level

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Adaptability or versatility

If complete battery units are designed to be interchangeable with filling stations, then flexibility is improved, but mechanical stress tests and safety measurements increase effort

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmeasurement and test effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the battery system into standardized modular functional groups with uniform contact units. This segmentation allows interchangeable design while reducing test effort through modular validation - each module can be tested independently once, then reused across different configurations without requiring complete system re-testing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Extent of automation

If central control structure is implemented for smart grid systems, then network management is improved, but flexibility and scalability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork managementVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service capabilities through intelligent contact units that automatically perform compatibility verification, system configuration, and network integration upon connection. This eliminates the need for central control structures while maintaining automated network management, thereby preserving both automation benefits and system flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2820741B8Network infrastructure component, composite system having a plurality of network infrastructure components, and use of the composite system
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 UNICORN ENERGY GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a network infrastructure component (12) and a distributed composite system (10) for supply purposes having a plurality of network infrastructure components (12), wherein the network infrastructure component (12) has at least one contact unit (14) for connecting to an additional network infrastructure component (12) and at least one coupling module (16) for coupling a functional group (18), wherein the network infrastructure component (12) is designed to communicate with a coupled functional group (18) at least on a supply level (20), wherein the network infrastructure component (12) is designed to communicate with at least one additional network infrastructure component (12) at least on the supply level (20) and/or a data level (22), so that a self-configured composite system (10) for linking a plurality of functional groups (18) can be produced by means of a combination of a plurality of network infrastructure components (12). The network infrastructure component (12) preferably has a control device (32) for controlling operating parameters, in particular for load control on the supply level (20).