Energy Storage Device Switching to Equalize Wear Under Load Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems in vehicles face challenges in reducing wear on energy storage devices, particularly when powering auxiliary loads, as they are not robust to load changes and result in uneven wear across devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and switching arrangement that alternately connect and disconnect energy storage devices in an energy storage system, ensuring that only one device is active during load powering, thereby reducing wear. This approach involves cycling the devices so that each is connected for roughly the same amount of time, and using a switching arrangement to manage the connection and disconnection of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple energy storage devices are connected to power the load simultaneously, then the system provides stable conditions for powering the load, but the wear of the energy storage devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternately connecting and disconnecting energy storage devices in a cycling manner. The switching arrangement periodically switches between different energy storage devices, ensuring that while one device is connected to power the load, another is disconnected and resting. This periodic switching reduces cumulative wear on individual devices while maintaining continuous system operation and stability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If at least one energy storage device is disconnected to not transfer electrical energy, then the wear of the disconnected device is reduced, but the system must ensure stable powering conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple energy storage devices into a coordinated system where they work together to provide stable power. The switching arrangement combines the outputs of multiple energy storage devices, allowing the system to maintain stable powering conditions even when individual devices are disconnected for wear reduction. The devices are merged in such a way that their collective capacity ensures continuous reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching arrangement acts as an intermediary between the energy storage devices and the load. It mediates the connection and disconnection of individual devices, ensuring that when one device is disconnected to reduce wear, the switching arrangement maintains stable power delivery to the load by redirecting through other connected devices. This intermediary function resolves the conflict between reducing device wear and maintaining system reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If energy storage devices are cycled to ensure equal connection time, then the wear is evenly distributed across devices, but the switching complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operation of energy storage devices into distinct connection and disconnection phases through the switching arrangement. Each device is segmented into active and inactive periods, allowing wear to be evenly distributed. The switching arrangement divides the overall power delivery function across multiple devices sequentially, ensuring that each device undergoes similar cycles of connection and disconnection, thereby equalizing wear patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for reducing wear of an energy storage device in an energy storage system connected to a load, the energy storage system comprising at least two energy storage devices. The method comprising: connecting (S1) the energy storage system to an electrical energy source, and electrically powering (S2) the load via the energy storage system by connecting at least one of the energy storage devices to transfer electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the load, and disconnecting at least one other energy storage device to not transfer any electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the load.