Battery Fixing Device Segmentation for Tight Space Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing battery fixing device requires significant effort to attach and detach batteries due to the need to fasten and loosen multiple nuts, especially in tight spaces, making the operation cumbersome and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A battery fixing device with a receiving member and two retainers, where two rods with nuts are used to secure the batteries, and rotating plates with rods and nuts are employed to simplify the attachment and detachment process, reducing the number of nuts required and improving operational ease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If six rods with nuts are used to urge batteries against the receiving member, then the batteries are securely fixed, but the operation to attach and detach batteries requires much effort and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery fixing stabilityVSAvoidbattery attachment and detachment operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The battery fixing device is divided into two independent retaining mechanisms (first and second retaining members), each handling one battery separately. This segmentation allows operators to work on one battery at a time rather than managing six rods simultaneously, significantly reducing operational complexity while maintaining secure fixation for each battery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex six-rod urging mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler two-rod design combined with a receiving member. By taking out the unnecessary rods and retaining only the essential components, the device achieves secure battery fixation with fewer parts, making attachment and detachment operations much easier

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If six nuts are threadably engaged with rods to secure batteries, then the batteries are firmly retained, but the number of fastening operations increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery retention forceVSAvoidtime for fastening and loosening nuts
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening operation is segmented into two independent actions (one nut per retaining member) rather than six simultaneous actions. This reduces the time required for fastening and loosening operations while maintaining sufficient retention force through the optimized two-rod, two-nut configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design parameters are changed from six rods with six nuts to two rods with two nuts, optimizing the balance between retention strength and operational speed. The receiving member compensates for the reduced number of rods by providing additional structural support and battery positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If the gap between the upper face of the retainers and the vehicle body is narrow, then the battery fixing device fits in the available space, but the space for operating to fasten or loosen nuts becomes narrow requiring great effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupied by battery fixing deviceVSAvoidnut fastening and loosening operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The operating space requirement is segmented and reduced by dividing the fixing mechanism into two independent retaining members positioned at different locations. This allows operators to access and operate on one nut at a time with smaller hand tools, making the operation feasible in narrow spaces where a single large nut would be inaccessible

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3392091B1Battery fixing device
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP3392091B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3392091B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3392091B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery fixing device includes: a receiving member on which two batteries are placed parallel to each other; a retainer having a portion hanging down between the two batteries to retain mutually opposed shoulder portions of the two batteries: rods having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being fixed to the receiving member and the distal end passing through each end of the retainer; and nuts threadably engaged with the distal ends of the rods. The rods penetrate through the retainer within the range in which the two batteries are opposed.