Battery Lock Assembly with Central Pull Shaft and Return Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery lock-up mechanisms for new energy vehicles face challenges in cost control, convenient operation, and stable, reliable locking, particularly in battery swap systems, where quick and efficient battery swapping is required without compromising service life.

Innovation Solution

A lock assembly for a battery lock-up mechanism comprising a fixing assembly connected to the vehicle and a lock assembly connected to the battery housing, utilizing a central pull shaft, locking pin, and return spring mechanism for secure and easy engagement and disengagement of the battery, ensuring stable and reliable locking with reduced operational complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a battery lock-up mechanism is designed to be easy to operate for quick battery swapping, then the operation time is reduced, but the reliability and stability of locking may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery swapping timeVSAvoidlocking stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lock assembly incorporates a return spring that automatically resets the locking mechanism after each locking operation. When the central pull shaft is rotated to lock the battery, the return spring is compressed; upon release, the spring automatically pushes the locking pin back to its initial position, preparing the mechanism for the next operation without manual intervention. This self-resetting feature enables quick consecutive battery swaps while maintaining reliable locking through consistent mechanical engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If the lock assembly structure is simplified to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ease of operation and reliability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidoperation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lock assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism. The central pull shaft simultaneously serves as the rotation element for locking, the actuator for the locking pin, and the connection point for the return spring. The locking pin integrates both the locking function and the engagement interface with the fixing assembly. This functional merging reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining ease of operation through a unified, straightforward locking motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a more complex locking mechanism is used to ensure stable and reliable locking, then locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking stabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: a central pull shaft for rotation and actuation, a locking pin for engagement, and a return spring for resetting. Each element has a specific, simple function, avoiding the need for complex interconnected mechanisms. The segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for reliability while keeping the overall mechanism simple and cost-effective to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 a low-cost, easy-to-operate, and stable battery lock-up mechanism that facilitates quick battery swapping, enhancing the service life of batteries by ensuring secure attachment and detachment without compromising reliability or increasing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

a lock assembly... utilizing a central pull shaft, locking pin, and return spring mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3476634B1Lock body assembly for a battery lock-up mechanism
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 NIO ANHUI HLDG CO LTD
  • EP3476634B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3476634B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3476634B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a lock assembly for a battery lock-up mechanism, a power battery comprising the lock assembly, a battery lock-up mechanism, a new energy vehicle, and a method for installing/detaching a power battery onto/from a new energy vehicle by using the battery lock-up mechanism of the invention. The lock assembly for battery lock-up mechanism comprises a casing and a stop end plate which define an accommodation space. A returning spring, a push rod, a locking pin or the like are installed in a central pull shaft. The technical solutions of the invention have a low cost, are easy to operate and are stable and reliable.