Battery Case Opening for Circuit Component Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electric straddle-type vehicles have a cumbersome process for replacing circuit components, as the battery case must be detached from the vehicle body frame, making it difficult for operators to perform maintenance when the circuit component is broken.

Innovation Solution

The battery case is designed with an opening that allows exposure of the circuit component, enabling its replacement without detaching the battery from the vehicle body frame, using a detachable cover member that reduces rigidity near the opening but provides protection from external forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the battery case is designed as a sealed structure to protect internal components, then the reliability and protection of circuit components is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates because the battery case must be detached from the vehicle body frame to replace circuit components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of circuit componentsVSAvoidreplacement of circuit component
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The battery case is segmented into a main case body and a detachable cover member. The cover member can be separated from the case body to provide access to circuit components, while the main case remains fixed to the vehicle body frame. This segmentation allows the circuit components to be accessible for repair while maintaining the protective enclosure when the cover is closed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover member acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the circuit components. It provides a controlled access point that allows technicians to reach circuit components without compromising the overall sealed structure of the battery case. The cover member mediates between the need for protection and the need for accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the battery case is made fully enclosed to maintain structural integrity, then the strength and rigidity of the battery housing is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because operators cannot access circuit components without detaching the entire battery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrity of battery caseVSAvoidaccess to circuit component
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The battery case structure is divided into the main case body that maintains structural integrity and a separate cover member that provides access. The case body remains firmly attached to the vehicle body frame to preserve strength, while the cover member can be independently removed to allow operators to access and service circuit components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing access from the interior of the battery case, the opening is positioned on the outer surface of the case body, allowing access from the exterior dimension. This dimensional change enables operators to reach circuit components through the cover member without needing to detach the battery from the vehicle frame.

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

3Ease of repair

If an opening is provided in the battery case to expose the circuit component, then the ease of repair is improved, but the rigidity of the battery case deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement of circuit componentVSAvoidrigidity of battery case
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The opening is created by segmenting the battery case into a rigid case body and a separate cover member. The case body maintains its full rigidity and structural integrity, while the cover member is designed to be detachable. This segmentation allows the opening to be present without compromising the overall rigidity of the main case structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The opening is provided only in the cover member, not in the main case body. This local quality approach ensures that the critical structural portions of the battery case maintain their rigidity, while only the non-critical cover portion has the opening for access. The case body's rigidity is preserved while enabling repair access through the localized opening in the cover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4001078B1battery
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
  • EP4001078B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4001078B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4001078B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Workability of a replacement operation of a circuit component is improved by an operator. A battery is fixed inside a vehicle body frame of an electric straddle-type vehicle. The battery is provided with a battery module to which electric power for traveling is charged; a circuit component connected to the battery module; and a battery case accommodating the battery module and the circuit component. The battery case is formed with an opening that exposes the circuit component to an outside, and a cover member that covers the opening is detachably attached to the battery case, and the opening is formed at a position avoiding the vehicle body frame in a side view.