Accumulator Arrangement with Modular Hollow Profile Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current accumulator arrangements for electric vehicles are hindered by the need for a large, heavy housing that provides mechanical stability but increases weight and manufacturing costs, and cannot be flexibly adapted to different sizes.

Innovation Solution

The accumulator arrangement integrates separate storage facilities within rod-shaped hollow profiles that are combined to form a solid composite, eliminating the need for an external housing, using lightweight materials like aluminum or plastic for the profiles and allowing for customizable configurations through various cross-sectional shapes and connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a large external housing is used to provide mechanical stability and protect storage facilities, then mechanical stability and protection are improved, but weight and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidhousing weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the accumulator arrangement into multiple individual storage facilities, each with its own equipment case formed from hollow profiles. These modular units are connected together to form the complete accumulator assembly, eliminating the need for a single large external housing while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected profile system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow profiles serve multiple functions simultaneously: they form the equipment case for mechanical protection, provide structural framework for stability, enable modular connection between storage facilities, and incorporate cooling channels for thermal management. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate housing and cooling system components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If a large external housing is used to accommodate accumulator arrangements, then mechanical stability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase due to inability to flexibly adapt housing size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The accumulator arrangement is segmented into modular storage facilities that can be independently manufactured and then assembled in various configurations. This modularity allows the system to be scaled and adapted to different size requirements without requiring custom housing designs, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables dynamic adaptation to different accumulator arrangement sizes through modular assembly of standardized hollow profile units. The same basic profile components can be configured in different numbers and arrangements to match various storage capacity requirements, providing manufacturing flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If hollow profiles with sufficient wall thickness are used to afford mechanical stability, then strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidprofile structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the hollow profile structure itself: the profile walls provide mechanical strength, internal cavities serve as equipment cases for storage facilities, and integrated cooling channels handle thermal management. This merging of functions into a single structural element simplifies the overall system while maintaining the required mechanical stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution reduces weight and manufacturing costs while maintaining mechanical stability, enabling flexible adaptation to different sizes and efficient cooling through integrated coolant channels, and allows for easy assembly and maintenance of the storage facilities.

Implementation Method 1

The hollow profile can also exhibit at least one cooling channel along its wall. These coolant channels can, for example, be connected to a cooling water circuit whereby during operation of the accumulator arrangement, resulting heat can be dissipated.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11223086B2Accumulator arrangement
Publication Date: 2022.01.11 AUDI AG
  • US11223086B2 patent drawing
  • US11223086B2 patent drawing
  • US11223086B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An accumulator arrangement including several separate storage facilities for the storage of electrical energy, wherein every storage facility is incorporated in a bar-shaped hollow profile forming an equipment case, wherein the hollow profiles are connected to one another to form a tight composite.