Unit Rack Circuit Breaker Positioning for Flood Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power storage apparatuses are prone to waterlogging, leading to short-circuit currents and electrocution, necessitating a solution to ensure safety by optimizing the placement and functionality of circuit breakers within the unit rack.

Innovation Solution

A unit rack for power storage with a circuit breaker positioned optimally, either at the top or side of the housing, incorporating a waterproofing gasket and a penetrating hole with an additional gasket, and utilizing a fuse, mechanical relay, or electronic relay to manage voltage reduction during waterlogging, ensuring the circuit breaker is protected from moisture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the circuit breaker is installed at a low position in the housing, then it is easier to install and access, but it becomes vulnerable to waterlogging when the installation place floods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installation and accessVSAvoidwaterlogging vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit breaker is positioned in the vertical dimension at a higher level within the housing, specifically above the cell modules. This dimensional change in positioning elevates the circuit breaker from the vulnerable lower region to a safer upper region that is less susceptible to waterlogging, while maintaining ease of access through the housing structure.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the circuit breaker is installed at a high position in the housing to avoid waterlogging, then safety is improved, but installation and maintenance access becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterlogging protectionVSAvoidease of installation and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into distinct functional regions: a lower region for cell modules and an upper region for the circuit breaker. This segmentation allows the circuit breaker to be positioned in the upper, water-safe zone while the housing structure itself provides access pathways, maintaining operational ease despite the elevated position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the circuit breaker is exposed to the external environment for easy access, then operational convenience is improved, but protection from moisture and waterlogging is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational convenienceVSAvoidmoisture exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit breaker is nested within the housing structure at an elevated position, creating a nested arrangement where the circuit breaker resides inside the protective housing envelope. This nesting provides both physical protection from moisture and controlled access through the housing design, balancing protection with operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2704233B1Unit rack for power storage, and power storage device comprising same
Publication Date: 2016.01.06 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2704233B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2704233B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a unit rack for power storage which can configure a power storage apparatus having a desired capacity through series or parallel connections. The unit rack for power storage of the present invention comprises a plurality of cell modules which are series- or parallel-connected with each other by connection lines; a housing for accommodating the cell modules; a receiving part of a circuit breaker, formed or installed in the housing, and having a ground clearance higher than the highest ground clearance of the cell modules; a circuit breaker received in the receiving part and connected between the connection lines; and a receiving part cover for closing the receiving part of the circuit breaker. In accordance with the present invention, the unit rack for power storage having a circuit breaker installed therein is used in a high-capacity power storage apparatus to decrease the voltage of the power storage apparatus, even if the power storage apparatus is waterlogged as its installation place floods, thereby improving the safety of the power storage apparatus.