Battery Retaining Latch Design to Isolate Locking Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retaining systems for energy stores in two-wheeled vehicles, such as electric bicycles, often transfer forces and vibrations to the locking mechanism, potentially damaging the sensitive contacts and compromising the secure attachment of batteries.
Innovation Solution
A retaining system featuring a movable lock pin that engages with a locking latch, where the latch is designed with inward-directed moldings to limit mobility and prevent force transfer, allowing for secure locking without direct mechanical contact, and a second molding that locks the energy store in place, preventing removal without actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lock pin directly contacts the locking latch to prevent removal, then the locking function is achieved, but forces and vibrations are transferred to the locking mechanism causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The first molding acts as an intermediary element between the lock pin and the locking latch. It provides a stop that limits the mobility of the locking latch without requiring direct contact between the lock pin and the latch body, thereby preventing force transfer while maintaining the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking latch is segmented into functional zones: the first molding (support) that limits mobility, the second molding (lug) that provides mechanical locking, and the opening that receives the lock pin. This segmentation allows each element to perform its function independently without transferring harmful forces to the locking mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the locking latch is made movable to allow locking/unlocking, then the locking mechanism can function, but the energy store may be removed without actuating the lock
Solution Approach 1:
The locking latch is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between latched and unlatched positions. However, the first molding provides a dynamic stop that limits its mobility, ensuring it cannot be manually removed without actuating the lock mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The first molding is pre-positioned within the opening to provide a stop before the locking latch can be fully removed. This preliminary constraint ensures that even though the latch is movable, it cannot be taken off without the lock pin being actuated first.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the lock pin is positioned close to the first molding to limit play, then vibrations are reduced, but forces are directly transferred to the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The locking latch has different local qualities: the first molding provides a stable stop position with minimal play, while the overall latch remains movable for locking/unlocking operations. This localized stability reduces vibrations without requiring the entire latch to be rigidly fixed.
Data Source
AI summary
A retaining system which may be used for locking an energy store, in particular for an electrically operable two-wheeled vehicle. The retaining system is designed such that it does not transfer any forces from the energy store to the retaining system in the locked or latched position.