Energy Storage Tray Identification via Rack Finger Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional energy storage systems face complexity and risk of technology leakage or damage when assigning identification codes to battery trays, requiring disassembly and reassembly, which complicates the process and can lead to unclear responsibility in case of issues.

Innovation Solution

An energy storage system with a switch on each tray that is automatically activated by unique finger configurations on the rack, allowing for automatic assignment of identification codes without disassembly, using a connector system with guide holes and nuts for secure coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual assignment of identification codes to battery trays is performed through disassembly and reassembly, then identification codes can be assigned to each tray, but the process becomes complex and increases risk of technology leakage or damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverisk of damage or technology leakageVSAvoidcomplexity of identification code assignment process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic identification code assignment through self-service mechanism. When a battery tray is mounted on the rack, the fingers on the rack automatically engage with the switch on the tray, triggering the identification code assignment without requiring manual disassembly or reassembly operations by technicians

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of disassembly and reassembly with an automated electromechanical system. The switch and finger mechanism automatically detects tray mounting and triggers identification code assignment through electrical contact, eliminating the need for manual mechanical operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual disassembly and reassembly is required for identification code assignment, then codes can be set on trays, but the process time increases and operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of identification code assignmentVSAvoidtime for tray preparation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The identification code assignment is performed as a preliminary action during the tray mounting process itself. The switch is pre-configured on the tray and the fingers are pre-positioned on the rack, so that when the tray is mounted, the identification code is automatically assigned as part of the mounting operation, eliminating separate preparation steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the identification code assignment operation with the tray mounting operation. Both actions are combined into a single integrated process where mounting the tray automatically triggers the identification code assignment, eliminating the need for separate manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10388996B2Method for setting identification code of energy storage system

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

An energy storage system includes a plurality of trays holding battery packs, each tray having a tray controller, and a switch to set an identification code to the tray, and a rack accommodating the plurality of trays, the rack having a rack controller, and fingers corresponding to each switch of the trays, the fingers selectively activating each switch when a corresponding tray is mounted on the rack.