Battery Module Frame With Polymeric Seat for Blind-Access Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicles face challenges in protecting and accessing battery modules due to limited space and structural support, leading to potential damage from vehicle impacts and difficulty in maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A battery frame configuration with a horizontal bottom plate and vertical members, incorporating a polymeric seat that compresses to secure battery modules without traditional fasteners, providing blind access support and protection while dampening vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional structural support and fastening methods are used for battery modules, then structural strength and protection are improved, but accessibility for installation and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module is divided into separable components: the battery pack with cells, the frame structure, and the polymeric seat. This segmentation allows the battery pack to be easily inserted and removed from the frame while maintaining structural integrity during operation, resolving the contradiction between strong structural support and ease of maintenance access.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric seat acts as an intermediary element between the battery pack and the frame structure. It provides the necessary mechanical connection and structural support while allowing for easy insertion and removal of the battery pack, thus enabling both strong structural support and accessibility for installation and maintenance.
2Volume of moving object
If battery cells are densely packaged to maximize space utilization, then vehicle space efficiency is improved, but vulnerability to impact damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric seat is positioned beforehand between the battery pack and the frame structure to provide cushioning protection. This pre-positioned cushioning element absorbs and distributes impact forces, protecting the densely packaged battery cells from damage during vehicle operation while maintaining space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure combines rigid materials for structural support with the polymeric (flexible) seat for cushioning and protection. This composite approach allows dense packaging of battery cells while providing protection against impact damage through the polymeric element that absorbs and distributes mechanical stresses.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid fastening structures are used to secure battery modules, then structural stability is improved, but ease of installation and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric seat provides a dynamic connection between the battery pack and frame structure. It maintains structural stability during vehicle operation through its cushioning properties while allowing for easy insertion and removal of the battery pack during installation and replacement, eliminating the need for complex rigid fastening structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric seat changes its physical parameters (compression, deformation) under load to provide structural stability during operation, but returns to its original state when the battery pack is removed, enabling easy installation and replacement. This parameter change allows the same component to provide both stability and ease of installation.
4Ease of repair
If blind access support structures are added to improve accessibility, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric seat serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, cushioning protection, easy installation/removal capability, and maintenance accessibility. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate blind access support structures, improving ease of maintenance while avoiding increased device complexity.
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 effectively secures battery modules, prevents damage from shocks and vibrations, and allows for easy installation, maintenance, and replacement by compressing a polymeric seat between the module and frame, ensuring structural support without direct access to the bottom plate.
Implementation Method 1
the polymeric seat is compressed in response to the force... selected to be elastomeric to dampen vibrations associated with vehicle operation
Implementation Method 2
the polymeric seat is selected to be elastomeric to dampen vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system includes a battery frame, a battery module, and a polymeric seat. The battery frame includes a horizontal bottom plate and a plurality of members that extend in a vertical direction from the bottom plate. The battery module includes at least one battery cell enclosed inside body of the battery module. The battery module also includes an attachment surface fixedly attached to the body and one or more supports that extend downward from to the body. The attachment surface is fixedly attached to one or more of plurality of members to generate a force on the one or more supports in a direction of the bottom plate. The polymeric seat is fixedly attached to either the one or more supports or the battery frame and removably contacts the other of the one or more supports or the battery frame. The polymeric seat is compressed in response to the force.