Angled Locking Mechanism for Industrial Vehicle Battery Packs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery locking systems for industrial vehicles are cumbersome and difficult to operate, often failing to securely lock the battery pack in two directions, leading to potential play during vehicle operation and inefficient battery replacement procedures.
Innovation Solution
A battery locking system featuring a compartment with a fixed holder and a locking mechanism comprising an angled locking surface and a stub shaft, which is axially displaceable and rotatable, guided by a guide channel and protrusion, allowing secure locking in two directions with minimal components for simplicity and ease of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with many parts is used to secure the battery pack, then the battery pack is more securely locked, but the device complexity increases and operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a locking member with an angled locking surface for blocking the battery pack, a guide channel for controlling movement, and a protrusion for guiding axial displacement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated locking mechanism. The locking member simultaneously provides blocking in one direction through its angled locking surface, while the guide channel and protrusion work together to guide axial displacement and enable rotation. This merging reduces the total number of separate parts while maintaining reliable locking functionality.
2Device complexity
If a locking mechanism secures the battery pack in only one direction, then the device complexity is reduced, but play during operation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from one-dimensional blocking to two-dimensional securing. The angled locking surface blocks the battery pack in one direction (lateral movement), while the guide channel and protrusion mechanism control axial displacement and enable rotation, adding a second dimension of constraint. This multi-dimensional approach ensures the battery pack is securely locked without requiring multiple separate locking devices.
3Reliability
If the battery pack is installed from above, then the locking is secure, but installation and removal become cumbersome and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The guide channel and protrusion are pre-configured to automatically guide the locking member during insertion and removal. As the battery pack is inserted or removed, the protrusion slides along the guide channel, automatically controlling the axial displacement and rotation of the locking member. This preliminary configuration of guiding elements eliminates the need for manual manipulation during battery pack changes, making the process swift and easy while maintaining secure locking.
4Ease of operation
If the battery pack is installed from the side using sliding or rolls, then installation and removal are simplified, but secure locking without play becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The guide channel acts as an intermediary element between the locking member and the battery pack. It mediates the interaction by controlling the axial displacement and rotation of the locking member during side installation. The protrusion sliding along the guide channel ensures that the locking mechanism achieves proper engagement and secure locking without play, while still allowing easy side installation and removal of the battery pack.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
There is provided an industrial vehicle comprising a battery locking system, which comprises a compartment for receiving a battery pack formed by at least two supporting walls; at least one opening in the compartment between two of the supporting walls for installation or removal of the battery; a fixed holder (115) arranged in vicinity of the at least one opening; and a locking mechanism comprising (110a), in an upper part, an angled locking surface (118), facing the compartment, adapted to block the battery pack in two directions, and, in a lower part, adapted to be connected to the fixed holder (115), the locking mechanism being axially displaceable in relation to the fixed holder, and, in an inserted position, being at least partly rotatable. One of the fixed holder and the locking mechanism comprises a socket (115) and the other comprises a corresponding stub shaft (112) to be inserted to the socket, and a first guide channel (115) is arranged in one of the socket and the stub shaft; and a first protrusion (117) is arranged on the other of the stub shaft and the socket, the protrusion being adapted to cooperate with the first guide channel so as to guide the axial displacement between the socket and the stub shaft between the inserted position and an extended position of the stub shaft in relation to the socket. A corresponding method for displacing a battery pack of the industrial vehicle is also provided.