Battery Enclosure Disconnect With External Actuation Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery disconnect switch devices in vehicles lack external accessibility, requiring emergency responders to completely cut electrical cables, which is inefficient and exposes the system to moisture and weathering.

Innovation Solution

A battery encapsulation device with a disconnect switch and actuating element outside the enclosure, featuring electrical contacts that can be translated or rotated to connect/disconnect the battery terminals, and an optional electronic relay system for remote control, ensuring the battery remains sealed while allowing controlled power interruption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the disconnect switch is concealed inside the enclosure for protection, then the battery is protected against moisture and weather, but the disconnect switch becomes inaccessible from outside the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery protectionVSAvoiddisconnect switch accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two functional parts: the disconnect switch remains inside the sealed enclosure for protection, while a separate actuating element is provided outside the enclosure for remote operation. This segmentation allows the switch to be protected while remaining accessible through the external actuator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An actuating element serves as an intermediary between the external environment and the internal disconnect switch. This intermediary allows operators to control the disconnect switch from outside the enclosure without compromising the sealed environment, solving both protection and accessibility requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If emergency responders must cut electrical cables completely, then power supply can be interrupted, but the process is inefficient and exposes the system to moisture and weathering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency response efficiencyVSAvoidmoisture and weather exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The disconnect switch and actuating element are pre-configured in the enclosure before emergency situations occur. This preliminary setup allows emergency responders to quickly activate the disconnect switch through the external actuator without needing to cut cables or expose the battery to elements, enabling fast and clean power interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the actuating element is arranged outside the enclosure, then external accessibility is improved, but the enclosure structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator accessibilityVSAvoidenclosure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element extends from the internal disconnect switch through the enclosure wall to the external environment, utilizing the third dimension (spatial extension) to provide external access without requiring additional external mechanisms or complex mounting structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11840151B2Device for encapsulating and interrupting the power supply of a battery

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 AMPERE SAS

AI summary

A device for encapsulating a battery includes an enclosure including a casing and a cover and forming a housing for receiving the battery, a circuit breaker arranged in the enclosure, and an actuating element of the circuit breaker arranged outside the enclosure or partially outside the enclosure.