Electrical Storage System Relay Drive Circuit Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical storage systems face issues with switch element failures, leading to continuous current flow and potential overcharging of batteries due to the inability to accurately determine if a switch element is in an energized or non-energized state, causing the battery to remain connected to a load.
Innovation Solution
An electrical storage system with a drive circuit and sensor configuration that switches relays between different current values to operate at varying timings, using a controller to monitor voltage and current signals to determine switch element failures and prevent continuous current flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single coil is used to drive multiple relays, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates because it becomes difficult to determine which relay is in which state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback mechanisms through sensors that detect the state of each relay and provide information back to the control system. This allows the system to reliably determine which relays are energized even when using a single shared coil, resolving the contradiction between reduced complexity and maintained reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediate elements such as sensors and control logic that mediate between the single coil and multiple relays. These intermediaries provide the necessary information flow to track relay states without requiring separate coils for each relay
2Reliability
If current is continuously supplied to the coil, then relays remain in the energized state ensuring connection, but harmful effects occur when switch element fails causing overcharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by continuously monitoring relay states and switching currents based on detected conditions. The control system periodically checks sensor feedback and adjusts coil current accordingly, ensuring relays remain connected when needed while preventing harmful continuous energization due to failures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by implementing preventive monitoring and control measures. The system detects relay states in advance and takes corrective action before harmful overcharging can occur, cushioning against potential failures rather than reacting after damage occurs
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
Effectively identifies and addresses switch element failures, preventing overcharging by ensuring the battery is disconnected from the load when necessary, thereby maintaining battery health and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The coil is configured to generate electromagnetic force for switching the second relay and the third relay from a non-energized state to an energized state by energization at a first current value. The coil is configured to generate electromagnetic force for switching the first relay, the second relay and the third relay from a non-energized state to an energized state by energization at a second current value larger than the first current value.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical storage system includes an electrical storage device, a load, a positive electrode line, a negative electrode line, a first relay, a second relay, a third relay, a drive circuit and a controller. The drive circuit includes a coil, a first power line, a second power line, and a sensor. The first power line includes a first switch element and a second switch element connected in series with each other. The second power line includes a second resistive element and a third switch element connected in series with each other. The drive circuit is configured to cause both the second and third relays and the first relay to operate at different timings. The controller is configured to control operation of the drive circuit. The controller is configured to output a control signal for setting each switch element to the non-energized state, and determine whether any one of the switch elements has a failure in the energized state on the basis of the output signal of the sensor.