Battery Fixing Device With Snap-Fit Mechanism For Quick Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery fixing mechanisms for electric vehicles are time-consuming and unreliable, requiring external drive mechanisms and additional sensors for accurate installation, which hinders quick battery replacement and affects user experience.

Innovation Solution

A battery fixing device with a frame, driver, carriage, connecting rod, and elastic component that uses snap-fitting portions to securely engage and disengage hooks on the battery pack, allowing for rapid installation and removal without the need for external drive mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bolts or screws are used to fix the battery to the bottom of the vehicle, then the battery can be securely fixed, but the installation and removal process becomes time-consuming and requires external drive mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery fixing reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional bolt/screw mechanical fastening system with a snap-fit mechanical engagement system. The battery pack has engagement structures that snap into corresponding receptacles on the vehicle bottom, eliminating the need for threaded fasteners and external drive mechanisms, thus reducing installation time while maintaining secure fixation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery pack's engagement structures are designed to self-align and self-latch into the vehicle's receptacles without requiring external alignment tools or drive mechanisms. The snap-fit mechanism automatically secures the battery when placed in position, enabling quick installation by the user without specialized equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional battery fixing mechanisms are used, then the battery can be fixed, but additional sensors and electronics are required to ensure installation accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation accuracyVSAvoidfixing mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic sensors and control systems with a purely mechanical snap-fit engagement system. The physical geometry of the engagement structures and receptacles ensures precise alignment and installation accuracy through mechanical constraints alone, eliminating the need for electronic detection and control components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement structures are designed as simple, inexpensive mechanical features integrated into the battery pack and vehicle bottom, replacing expensive sensors and electronics. The mechanical design provides sufficient precision without requiring complex detection systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If bolts or screws are used for battery fixation, then secure mounting is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and requires additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery mounting strengthVSAvoidfixing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the multi-component bolt/screw fastening system with an integrated snap-fit engagement structure. The engagement features are directly formed as part of the battery pack and vehicle bottom structures, eliminating separate fasteners and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining mounting strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of separate fastening components into integrated engagement structures. The engagement features are combined with the battery pack housing and vehicle bottom structure, eliminating the need for separate bolts, screws, and mounting brackets, thus simplifying the overall fixing structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables simple, efficient, and accurate mounting and demounting of battery packs on electric vehicles, improving user experience by reducing installation time and enhancing the reliability of the battery pack fixing mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic component (150), wherein the elastic component (150) is attached at one end to the carriage (140) and at the other end to the frame (110)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3719861B1Battery fixing device and vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 NIO ANHUI HLDG CO LTD
  • EP3719861B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3719861B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a battery fixing device and a vehicle. The battery fixing device (100) comprises: a frame (110) comprising a cavity (110a) and a plurality of openings (111, 112) in a bottom wall (110b) of the frame (110); a driver (120) attached to the frame (110); a carriage (140) arranged in the cavity (110a) and attached to the driver (120) via a connecting rod (130), wherein the carriage (140) comprises a plurality of snap-fitting portions (141, 142), and the driver (120) is capable of driving the carriage (140) to move such that the snap-fitting portions (141, 142) and hooks (201, 202) on a battery pack (200) are engaged with each other; and an elastic component (150) attached at one end to the carriage (140) and at the other end to the frame (110), wherein the hooks (201, 202) and the plurality of openings (111, 112) are dimensioned so as to enable the plurality of hooks (201, 202) to enter the cavity through the plurality of openings (111, 112). The invention has the advantages of a simple structure and convenient installation, and realizes quick installation and disassembly of the battery pack.