Vehicle Battery Support Clamp With Serrations Against Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle battery support systems face issues with battery retention due to deformation from over-tightening, play and loosening from under-tightening, and vibration-induced noise and movement.
Innovation Solution
A battery support system featuring a tray with side walls, a flange held by a threaded rod and nut system, where the nut and collar interface have serrations for positive locking, and an anti-theft device using a bar and arch-shaped rod to secure the flanges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flange is tightened too much on the battery, then the battery retention is improved, but the battery deforms under the tightening action
Solution Approach 1:
The flange acts as an intermediary element between the clamping device and the battery. It distributes the clamping force over a larger area through its broad contact surface, preventing localized deformation of the battery while maintaining secure retention. The flange mediates the force transmission to avoid direct concentrated loading on the battery housing.
2Shape
If the clamp is not tight enough, then the battery deformation is avoided, but the battery has play and causes the clamp to loosen or come off
Solution Approach 1:
The rounded corners and curved surfaces of the flange allow for optimal force distribution and contact with the battery. The curved geometry enables the flange to conform slightly to the battery surface while maintaining even pressure distribution, preventing both deformation and slippage under vibration conditions.
3Reliability
If the flange is tightened to the optimum on the battery at the time of installation, then the battery retention is optimized, but the vibrations caused by the movement of the vehicle will cause the nut to loosen
Solution Approach 1:
The serrated edges on the nut and corresponding surface on the flange create a preliminary mechanical interlocking mechanism. These interlocking teeth engage before operation begins, preventing relative motion and loosening under vibration. The preliminary geometric locking action maintains preload without requiring excessive tightening force.
4Reliability
If a threaded rod/nut system is used to clamp the flange, then the battery can be secured, but the nut loosens under vibration causing noise and battery movement
Solution Approach 1:
The serrated edges create a preliminary mechanical interlock that prevents loosening before vibration occurs. The interlocking tooth geometry is designed to resist back-out under vibrational loads, maintaining clamp force without requiring additional anti-loosening features.
Solution Approach 2:
The rounded corners of the flange and corresponding contact surfaces provide optimal stress distribution and prevent stress concentration points that could lead to loosening. The curved geometry enhances the mechanical interlocking effect of the serrations while distributing loads evenly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The serrated interface ensures consistent preload and resistance to vibration-induced loosening, maintaining optimal battery retention and preventing theft through secure flange locking.
Implementation Method 1
the contact surfaces between the nut and the collar of the sleeve comprises serrations... The serrations are shaped as gear teeth
Implementation Method 2
the angle of the inclined plane of the gear teeth is strictly greater than angle of the thread of the threaded rod
Data Source
AI summary
A battery support for a motor vehicle comprising a tray for receiving at least one battery, a device for holding the battery or batteries on the tray, the holding device comprising a flange on a threaded rod, and a device for clamping the flange on the battery or batteries, wherein the clamping device comprises a sleeve slidably mounted on the threaded rod and comprising a collar bearing on the flange, a nut mounted on the threaded rod and bearing on the collar of the sleeve, and the contact surfaces between the nut and the collar of the bushing comprises serrations.