Replaceable Battery Connector Locking for Vibration-Reliable EVs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The connection between battery connectors in electrically powered vehicles is prone to defects due to relative positional changes caused by vehicle vibrations during travel, leading to potential disconnection issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a lock mechanism that secures the connection between the vehicle body and battery connectors, operated by an auxiliary battery power source, and controlled by a control device to ensure automatic locking upon battery replacement completion, with a warning system for incomplete locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connector position is allowed to change due to vibration during traveling, then the vehicle can operate normally under vibration conditions, but the connection between the battery connector and vehicle body connector becomes defective
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is activated before vibration occurs to preemptively secure the connector connection. The control device detects vibration conditions and activates the lock mechanism in advance to prevent positional changes that would lead to defective connections, rather than attempting to correct the problem after it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism applies a counteracting force to prevent the harmful effect of vibration-induced connector displacement. By locking the connectors together when vibration is detected, the system counteracts the tendency of the connectors to move relative to each other, thereby maintaining connection reliability despite vibration conditions.
2Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to secure the connector connection, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is designed to operate automatically based on vibration detection by the control device, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-regulates by detecting vibration conditions and activating the lock mechanism accordingly, reducing the complexity of control systems while maintaining connection reliability.
3Reliability
If the lock mechanism is operated by the first battery, then the locking function is available, but the system cannot lock the connection when the first battery is disconnected or failing
Solution Approach 1:
The control device acts as an intermediary between the power source and the lock mechanism. It monitors the status of the first battery and can activate the lock mechanism using power from the second battery when the first battery is disconnected or failing. This intermediary control system ensures the locking function remains available regardless of the first battery's status.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically powered vehicle includes: a vehicle body including a power converter that operates a motor; and a first battery that is attached in a replaceable manner to the vehicle body and supplies electric power to the power converter. The vehicle body includes a first connector for connecting to the first battery. The first battery includes a second connector to be connected to the first connector. The electrically powered vehicle further includes a lock mechanism that locks connection between the first connector and the second connector when the connection between the first connector and the second connector is completed.