Battery Unit Frame Anchoring for Crash Energy Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery mounting arrangements in electric vehicles fail to effectively absorb crash forces during accidents, risking battery intrusion into the passenger compartment and potential damage, which can lead to fire or electrical discharges endangering occupants.

Innovation Solution

A holding arrangement with a frame structure anchoring the battery unit to a deformation-stable heel plate, utilizing tension struts and a deformable zone to absorb inertial forces without excessive deformation, preventing battery displacement and minimizing mechanical damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the battery unit is flexibly mounted to allow energy absorption during collision, then the holding arrangement can absorb impact energy, but the battery may intrude into the passenger compartment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact energy absorptionVSAvoidbattery position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding arrangement is segmented into a rigid frame structure for positional stability and separate deformation elements positioned between the battery and frame for energy absorption. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously maintain battery position stability while absorbing impact energy through the deformation elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Deformation elements are introduced as intermediary components between the battery unit and the rigid frame structure. These intermediaries absorb impact energy through controlled deformation while preventing direct force transmission that would cause battery intrusion into the passenger compartment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If the battery unit is rigidly anchored to withstand high forces, then the holding arrangement can resist inertial forces, but the battery may be damaged releasing stored energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinertial force resistanceVSAvoidbattery damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The deformation elements are pre-positioned between the battery unit and the rigid frame structure to provide cushioning before impact occurs. During collision, these elements deform to absorb energy, reducing the peak forces transmitted to the battery while preventing excessive deformation that would damage the battery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding arrangement utilizes parameter changes in the deformation elements during impact - transitioning from a rigid state during normal operation to a deformable state during collision. This allows the system to resist inertial forces while controlling the deformation parameters to prevent battery damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If deformation elements are used to absorb impact energy, then energy dissipation occurs, but the battery can be displaced by inertial forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy dissipationVSAvoidbattery position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The holding arrangement segments the energy absorption function (deformation elements) from the positional stabilization function (rigid frame structure). The deformation elements dissipate energy while the rigid frame maintains battery position stability, preventing displacement during impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the deformation elements for energy absorption with the rigid frame structure for positional stability into a unified holding arrangement. This combination allows simultaneous energy dissipation and prevention of battery displacement during collision.

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

The solution provides enhanced crash safety by preventing battery intrusion and damage, ensuring occupant safety by effectively absorbing crash forces and stabilizing the battery unit against deformation and displacement during accidents.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one tension strut (38) is designed to absorb forces generated in the event of an accident

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the frame structure of the holding arrangement comprises at least one holding element, via which the part of the battery unit arranged in the deformable zone of the body is anchored to a deformation-stable structural area of the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical anchoring: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

Impact energy occurring in a frontal collision is to be introduced via the dimensionally stable rear end into longitudinally deformable deformation elements of the rear vehicle area arranged at the rear and converted there into deformation work

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2563610B1Battery unit support arrangement on the body of a passenger vehicle
Publication Date: 2014.05.21 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP2563610B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2563610B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2563610B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a battery unit (24) support arrangement on the body of a passenger vehicle (10), in which at least one part of the battery unit (24) is arranged in a deformable area (26) of the body and said battery unit (24) is supported on a corresponding structural area (40) of the body by means of a frame structure (32). Said frame structure (32) comprises at least one support element (34, 38) by means of which the part of the battery unit (24) arranged in the deformable area (26) of the body is anchored to a deformation-stable structural area (40) of the body. Said deformation-stable structural area (40) is arranged in a rigid area (30) of the body.