Battery Lifting Arm with Cylinder Actuator for Mining Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mining vehicles equipped with large batteries for underground operations face challenges in controllably supporting, lifting, and securing batteries during charging and swapping processes, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential battery dislodgment during vehicle maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an arm with protrusions and a cylinder actuator, rotatably connected to the vehicle's frame, allows for controllable attachment and detachment of batteries using a hook and slot mechanism, with a locking mechanism to secure the battery in place, ensuring stable operation and easy swapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lifting device is used to support and lift the battery, then the battery can be easily attached and detached, but the battery may become dislodged during vehicle maneuvers without proper securing
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is positioned and configured in advance to receive the battery housing, with the arm and actuator system pre-aligned to engage with the housing's lifting features, enabling quick and secure attachment before vehicle operation begins
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the battery housing and the vehicle frame, providing a controlled interface that both facilitates easy attachment/detachment and ensures secure positioning during transport through its structured engagement system
2Reliability
If the battery is securely locked in place, then battery dislodgment is prevented, but the time required for battery swapping increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and secure the battery housing to the lifting device through the protrusion-slot interface when the housing is positioned, eliminating the need for manual locking operations and enabling rapid battery swapping while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The complex manual locking system is replaced with an automated actuator-driven mechanism that uses the cylinder actuator to control the arm's movement, which in turn engages the protrusion-slot locking features automatically, reducing swapping time while ensuring reliable security
3Reliability
If the arm structure includes multiple protrusions and a compartment, then the locking mechanism is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arm structure integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, houses the actuator mechanism within its compartment, and incorporates the locking protrusions directly into its geometry, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall 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 enables efficient battery management, ensuring secure attachment and detachment, reducing the likelihood of battery dislodgment and facilitating seamless operation in underground mining environments, thereby enhancing vehicle performance and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
The tractor section of the vehicle includes an operator compartment. The vehicle further includes at least one arm and one cylinder actuator. The arm is pivotally connected to the tractor section
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controllably supporting a battery includes an arm, a first protrusion, a second protrusion, and a cylinder actuator. The arm has a compartment formed in the arm and an opening extending through the arm at a base of the compartment. The cylinder actuator includes a piston connected to a rod, and is positioned substantially in the compartment of the arm. The rod extends toward the opening of the arm, and the rod moves through the opening during operation of the cylinder actuator. Also, the first protrusion extends from the arm in a first direction and the second protrusion extends from the arm in a second direction.