Battery Module Deformation Element for Side Crash Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicles with battery modules face challenges in protecting these modules from damage during side crashes, as they are vulnerable to impact and may release hazardous substances if damaged.
Innovation Solution
The motor vehicle design incorporates multiple battery modules positioned under the passenger cell, flanked by side sills, with deformation elements between them to absorb energy and allow displacement during a side crash, while cross members and holding devices ensure structural integrity and allow modules to shift without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If battery modules are arranged next to each other between side sills in the underbody, then space utilization is improved, but vulnerability to side crash damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A deformation element is arranged between adjacent battery modules to act as an intermediary that absorbs crash forces. When a side crash occurs, the deformation element deforms and absorbs energy, preventing direct force transmission between battery modules and reducing damage vulnerability while maintaining compact arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation element is pre-positioned between battery modules to provide cushioning protection before a crash occurs. This element is specifically designed to deform under impact forces, creating a protective buffer that reduces the harmful effects of side crashes on the battery modules.
2Reliability
If rigid structural protection is provided for battery modules, then protection against damage is improved, but structural complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing rigid protective structures around each battery module, a deformation element serves as an intermediary that absorbs crash forces through controlled deformation. This approach provides effective protection while avoiding the complexity and weight of rigid protective housings.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation element changes its physical state from rigid to deformed under impact forces. This parameter change allows the element to absorb energy effectively during crashes while maintaining a compact form during normal operation, providing protection without permanent structural complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If battery modules are fixed rigidly to prevent movement, then structural stability is improved, but ability to absorb crash energy through displacement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static rigid fixation to a dynamic arrangement where battery modules can displace during crashes. The deformation element enables controlled movement that absorbs crash energy, while the modules remain stable during normal operation. This dynamic behavior optimizes both stability and energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harmful effect of battery module movement during crashes is converted into a beneficial energy absorption mechanism. By allowing controlled displacement through the deformation element, the system transforms what would be damaging rigid impacts into useful energy-dissipating deformation of the intermediary element.
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
This configuration effectively protects battery modules from damage in both frontal and side crashes by distributing forces and allowing modules to shift, thereby preventing damage and ensuring the safety of the passenger compartment.
Implementation Method 1
The deformation element can be deformed plastically and/or elastically. In any case, the deformation element absorbs at least part of the energy introduced during deformation.
Implementation Method 2
The deformation element can be deformed plastically and/or elastically. In any case, the deformation element absorbs at least part of the energy introduced during deformation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a vehicle having a plurality of battery modules, arranged adjacent to one another in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The battery modules are arranged and/or designed such that they can be moved and/or deformed in a non-destructive manner by means of a deforming force acting on the vehicle body. The problem addressed by the invention is that of creating a motor vehicle having a plurality of battery modules, wherein the battery modules are protected in a simple manner against damage in the event of a side crash. According to the invention, a motor vehicle has a plurality of battery modules (8) for storing electrical energy in the region of an underbody of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The underbody is delimited on each of the two sides by a side sill (4). As viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x), at least two battery modules (8) are arranged adjacent to each other between the side sills (4), wherein the battery modules (8) adjoin the respective side sills (4) and a deformation element (10) is arranged in each case between the adjacent battery modules (8).