Vehicle Battery Case Structure for Space and Side Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for technology that enables the installation of a battery with maximum energy capacity in a limited vehicle space while ensuring sufficient durability and safety to withstand vehicle collisions.
Innovation Solution
A battery case for vehicles is designed with a lower panel that supports battery modules, a side member that protects the side surfaces of the modules, and reinforcing members between the modules, optimizing space and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the battery case uses a simple panel structure without additional support elements, then the device complexity is reduced, but the strength and durability to withstand collision impacts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery case is divided into multiple functional components: lower panel, sidewall, side members, and reinforcing members. Each segment performs a specific structural function, allowing the case to achieve high strength through distributed load-bearing elements rather than a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidewall is bent to extend upwards from the lower panel at a specific angle (90°-92°), adding vertical dimensionality to the structure. This dimensional change creates a three-dimensional framework that significantly improves impact resistance without requiring additional horizontal support elements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the sidewall extends upwards at a larger angle from the lower panel, then the protection coverage for battery modules is improved, but the available installation space for batteries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewall extension angle is optimized within a specific range (90°-92°) to achieve the best balance between protection coverage and space utilization. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient side impact protection while maximizing the volume available for battery module installation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If reinforcing members are added between battery modules, then the structural stability during collision is improved, but the energy capacity of the battery system deteriorates due to reduced installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewall structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides side impact protection, supports the battery modules, and creates stable mounting points for reinforcing members. This multi-functionality allows the structure to achieve high stability without requiring additional space-consuming components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower panel and sidewall are pre-configured with specific geometric features (bent extensions at 90°-92° angles) that inherently provide structural stability. This preliminary structural configuration reduces or eliminates the need for additional reinforcing members, thereby preserving battery installation space.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery case for a vehicle includes a lower panel supporting lower sides of a plurality of battery modules, the lower panel including a sidewall bent and extending upwards from the lower panel, a side member surrounding and supporting the sidewall of the lower panel to protect side surfaces of the battery modules, and a plurality of reinforcing members, each of which is disposed between neighboring ones of the battery modules such that two opposite ends of the reinforcing members are coupled to and supported by the sidewall.