Battery Holder Three-Point Mounting for Vehicle Frame Torsion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for securing high-voltage batteries in vehicle frames fail to consistently decouple torsional moments, leading to instability and durability issues under varying environmental conditions, and require significant assembly effort.

Innovation Solution

A 3-point bearing system with kinematic joints, including pivot and translational degrees of freedom, is used to mount the battery holder between longitudinal beams, allowing for relative movement and reducing torsional loads while maintaining stable mechanical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If elastic mounting is used to reduce bending and torsional forces on the battery device, then the influence of frame deformation is reduced, but the mounting lacks consistent bearing properties and has limited durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfluence of bending and torsional forcesVSAvoidconsistent bearing properties and durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the elastic mounting system with a kinematic mounting system using spherical joints and bearing points. This substitution transitions from a flexible, deformation-absorbing mechanical system to a rigid, geometry-based system that maintains consistent bearing properties while still decoupling torsional moments through the kinematic constraints of the spherical joints.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mounting parameters from elastic deformation characteristics to fixed geometric constraints defined by spherical joints. The bearing points are positioned at specific locations on the longitudinal members, creating a determinate kinematic system with consistent mechanical properties independent of environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the vehicle frame is designed to be torsionally flexible for better handling characteristics, then handling and durability are improved, but the battery mounting cannot reliably decouple torsional moments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling characteristicsVSAvoidtorsional moments transmitted to battery
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces spherical joints as intermediary elements between the battery holder and the vehicle frame. These joints act as mediators that allow the frame to remain torsionally flexible for handling while preventing torsional moments from being transmitted to the battery. The spherical joints accommodate frame deformation through their rotational degrees of freedom while maintaining a stable mechanical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic kinematic joints rather than static rigid connections. The spherical joints provide rotational freedom that adapts to frame movements and torsional deformations, allowing the mounting system to dynamically respond to frame flexion while maintaining consistent bearing properties and protecting the battery from torsional loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If conventional mounting methods are used to secure heavy batteries, then stable mechanical connection is achieved, but assembly effort and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connection stabilityVSAvoidassembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the mounting system into discrete, modular components: battery holder, spherical joints, and bearing points. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly where each component performs a specific function, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining strong mechanical connections through the standardized joint interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4237267B1Vehicle having a battery holder
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP4237267B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4237267B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4237267B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle (10), preferably a utility vehicle, comprising a support frame (1) of two longitudinal members and multiple cross members (1b1, 1b2; 1a1, 1a2, 1a3) as well as a battery holder (2.1; 2.2; 2.3) for receiving at least one drive battery which is arranged between both longitudinal members (1b1, 1b2) of the support frame (1). According to the invention, the battery holder (2.1; 2.2; 2.3) is connected to the support frame (1) by means of a three-point mounting (3.1; 3.2; 3.3), the three-point mounting (3.1; 3.2; 3.3) comprising three bearing points (3a, 3b, 3c), each having a joint.