Integrated Front-Rear Reinforcement for Battery Case Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle battery units face challenges in stably supporting battery modules while minimizing the number of parts, as reinforcement members increase weight and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle battery unit design featuring a battery case with a front-rear reinforcement member and first battery support portions integrated into the center frame, which supports the battery modules without additional support members, reducing the overall number of parts and enhancing stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reinforcement members are added to support battery modules, then the battery modules can be stably supported, but the number of parts and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of battery module supportVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the reinforcement member and battery support function into a single integrated structure. The reinforcement member is formed with battery support portions that directly support the battery modules, eliminating the need for separate support members. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts while maintaining stable support for the battery modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it reinforces the bottom portion of the battery case to provide structural strength, and it includes integrated battery support portions that directly support the battery modules. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both structural reinforcement and module support requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If reinforcement members and frame members are added to support battery modules, then the battery modules can be stably supported, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of battery module supportVSAvoidweight of battery case assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reinforcement member and battery support function into a single integrated structure. The reinforcement member is formed with battery support portions that directly support the battery modules, eliminating the need for separate support members. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts while maintaining stable support for the battery modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it reinforces the bottom portion of the battery case to provide structural strength, and it includes integrated battery support portions that directly support the battery modules. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both structural reinforcement and module support requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11424503B2Vehicle battery unit

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle battery unit includes: a battery module; and a battery case configured to accommodate the battery module. The battery case includes: a case body; and a cover configured to seal an upper opening of the case body, the case body is provided with a front-rear reinforcement member disposed in a bottom portion of the case body and extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle, and the front-rear reinforcement member includes a first battery support portion which supports the battery module.