Battery Pack Locking Mechanism with Resetting Part
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery pack locking mechanisms in electric vehicles lack reliability and safety, as they often fail to securely lock the battery pack, posing a risk of falling during replacement.
Innovation Solution
A locking mechanism with a resetting part that facilitates the lock tongue to reliably transition from an unlocked to a locked state, providing secondary locking protection, which includes a torsion spring and spiral part to ensure the lock tongue remains in the locked position and prevent accidental unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only a primary locking device is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of locking is insufficient and the battery pack may fall when locking fails
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into two independent parts: a primary locking device and a secondary locking device. Each locking device has its own lock tongue and locking mechanism, operating independently to provide layered security. This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher reliability without requiring one complex locking mechanism, as each simpler device can fail independently without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary locking device acts as a pre-prepared safety cushion against locking failure. When the primary locking device fails to lock properly, the secondary locking device is already in position to prevent the battery pack from falling. This principle of beforehand cushioning ensures that there is a backup protection mechanism ready before any failure occurs.
2Reliability
If a resetting part is added to ensure reliable locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resetting part is designed to automatically reset the lock tongue to its initial position after unlocking, without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex control systems or manual resetting operations, while still ensuring reliable locking through automatic positioning.
3Ease of operation
If the lock tongue is designed to easily transition to unlocked state, then the ease of operation is improved, but the locking stability deteriorates and accidental unlocking may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the locking mechanism have different properties optimized for their specific functions. The lock tongue has a smooth surface and rounded edges in the unlocking area to facilitate easy transition, while the locking engagement area has precise geometric features and interference fits to ensure stable locking. This local differentiation of qualities allows the mechanism to be both easy to operate and stable when locked.
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
Enhances the reliability and safety of battery pack locking by preventing accidental unlocking and ensuring secure installation and locking, thereby preventing the battery pack from falling during power exchange processes.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring and spiral part to ensure the lock tongue remains in the locked position
Implementation Method 2
a torsion spring and spiral part to ensure the lock tongue remains in the locked position
Data Source
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AI summary
A locking mechanism (100) for use in a battery pack, comprising: a lock base (110), the lock base (110) being provided with an opening and a cavity (112) extending from the opening (111), the opening (111) being used for allowing a lock shaft (200) mounted on the battery pack to enter the cavity (112); a lock tongue (120), the lock tongue (120) being rotatable relative to the lock base (110) so as to shift between an unlocked state and a locked state, and when the lock tongue (120) is in the locked state, the lock tongue (120) can stop the lock shaft (200) from leaving the cavity (112) via the opening (111); and a resetting part (130), the resetting part (130) being provided on the lock base (110) and acting on the lock tongue (120), the resetting part (130) being capable of producing a flexible distension and used for allowing the lock tongue (120) to rotate in a locking direction so as to reset from the unlocked state to the locked state, thus facilitating the mounting and locking of the battery pack, improving the reliability of locking, and increasing safety. Also disclosed are a lock assembly comprising the locking mechanism, a quick-swap support frame assembly, and an electric vehicle.