Vehicle Battery Arrangement Cab Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heavy duty vehicles like trucks face challenges in accommodating batteries due to densely packed chassis components, with limited space for alternative battery positioning, and existing solutions do not effectively address the need for increased battery capacity and accessibility.

Innovation Solution

Positioning the vehicle battery within the cab body structure, utilizing the cab reinforcement structure to house the battery, which provides additional space, protection, and accessibility, allowing for increased battery capacity and reduced wiring complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the vehicle battery is positioned in the engine compartment or connected to the chassis, then the battery can be easily accessed and installed, but the available space is limited and the battery is more prone to external damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidexternal damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the battery from traditional horizontal mounting positions (engine compartment or chassis) to a vertical mounting position within the cab body structure. This dimensional change utilizes the previously underutilized vertical space in the cab, allowing for larger battery capacity while providing natural protection from external damage through the cab structure.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If the vehicle battery is positioned in the engine compartment or connected to the chassis, then the installation is straightforward, but additional space becomes unavailable and wiring complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery installation easeVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cab body structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the vehicle, creates a protective housing for the battery, and acts as a mounting framework. By integrating the battery housing function into the existing cab structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate battery boxes or mounting structures, simplifying the overall design and reducing wiring complexity through closer proximity to power consumers.

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

3Quantity of substance

If the battery capacity is increased by using more batteries or higher capacity batteries, then the electrical storage capacity increases, but the available space on the chassis becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidchassis space
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal space utilization on the chassis to vertical space utilization within the cab body structure. This allows for increased battery capacity by stacking or vertically arranging batteries within the cab, thereby accommodating larger battery configurations without encroaching on chassis space required for other components.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3650321B1A vehicle battery arrangement
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP3650321B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3650321B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3650321B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a vehicle battery arrangement (202) comprising a vehicle battery (112), wherein said vehicle battery arrangement (202) comprises connecting means for connecting said vehicle battery arrangement to a portion of a cab body structure of a vehicle cab body, wherein the vehicle battery arrangement (202) further comprising a battery holder (204) at a second end portion (214) thereof, said battery holder (204) being arranged to mechanically couple the vehicle battery to the cab body structure, wherein the battery holder (204) comprises at least one flexible flange (404), wherein the battery is connected to the battery holder by means of said at least one flexible flange.