Rack Groove Design for Battery Packing Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control cabinets for electrical energy storage devices are complex due to the use of partitions, which occupy space and reduce packing density.

Innovation Solution

A control cabinet or rack design that eliminates the need for partitions by using grooves for energy storage inserts, with each insert having a ground connection and an electrically conductive frame for secure and efficient energy storage, allowing for maximum packing density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If partitions are used to separate compartments for energy storage devices, then structural stability and organization are improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control cabinet is segmented into multiple insertion slots formed by grooves on the mounting chassis, allowing individual energy storage devices to be separated and organized without requiring physical partitions between compartments. Each groove defines a specific insertion path and position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using vertical partitions to separate compartments in the horizontal plane, the invention uses grooves to define insertion slots in the vertical dimension, allowing energy storage devices to be arranged one above another without horizontal dividers, thus eliminating the need for partitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If partitions are used to separate compartments, then organizational structure is improved, but packing density decreases due to space occupied by partitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorganizational structureVSAvoidpacking density
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The partition elements are completely removed from the system. Instead of having physical dividers between compartments, the invention uses the grooves on the mounting chassis to define insertion slots, extracting the separation function from physical partitions to the groove structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting chassis combines multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines insertion slots through grooves, and eliminates the need for separate partition components. The grooves serve both as guides and as organizational boundaries without requiring additional space-consuming elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If grooves are used instead of partitions, then packing density increases, but electrical contact reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacking densityVSAvoidelectrical contact reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ground connection acts as an intermediary element that ensures reliable electrical contact. It includes a contact plate with contact claws that engage with the ground contact of the energy storage device, providing a dedicated electrical connection path independent of the mechanical insertion guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connection system is segmented into separate functional elements: the grooves provide mechanical guidance and positioning, while the ground connection with contact claws provides electrical contact. This separation ensures that electrical reliability is not compromised by the space-saving groove design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design increases the packing density of electrical energy stores by eliminating the space occupied by partitions, enabling a higher number of energy storage units to be accommodated with a simpler structural configuration.

Implementation Method 1

a free end (12.2) that can be mechanically prestressed in relation to the fastening section (12.1) and at least one contact claw (12.3) for making electrical contact with the ground contact of the energy storage device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical prestress: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3281240B1Rack for receiving electrical storage devices including batteries and a corresponding layout
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 RITTALWERK RUDOLF LOH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3281240B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3281240B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3281240B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a switchgear cabinet or rack for accommodating electrical energy stores, in particular batteries, wherein the switchgear cabinet (1) or the rack comprises a plurality of superimposed energy storage inserts (2), characterized in that the energy storage inserts (2) are formed by a plurality of grooves (3), wherein the longitudinal direction and the direction of insertion (x) thereof extend in a depth direction of the switchgear cabinet (1) or rack, wherein a respective pair of the grooves (3) are directed toward one another on opposite sides (4) of the switchgear cabinet (1) or rack on the same vertical height and with their open longitudinal side. The invention further relates to a corresponding switchgear cabinet assembly or rack assembly.