EV Battery Mount With Sloping Engagement for Fast Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery exchange systems for electric vehicles require significant effort to align locking elements, increasing the time needed for battery replacement.

Innovation Solution

A battery exchange system with first and second engagement elements that move relative to each other along sloping paths, allowing the battery unit to be lifted or lowered without the need for rotational alignment, reducing the time and effort required for battery exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If locking elements are used to secure the battery unit, then the battery unit is firmly fixed in the receiving unit, but significant effort and time are required to align the locking elements before battery removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirm fixation of battery unitVSAvoidtime for battery exchange
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism transitions from a static alignment requirement to a dynamic self-aligning process. The battery unit is rotated during the lifting motion itself, allowing the locking elements to engage automatically as the battery moves into the receiving unit, rather than requiring pre-alignment before lifting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking function is integrated into the lifting motion by adding a rotational component. Instead of aligning locking elements separately in the horizontal plane before vertical lifting, the system combines vertical lifting with rotational movement, allowing the battery to self-align with the receiving unit during the lifting process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If rotational alignment is required before battery removal, then the locking elements can be properly engaged, but the exchange process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper engagement of locking elementsVSAvoidcomplexity of alignment process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery unit performs its own alignment function during the lifting process. The rotational motion is inherent to the lifting mechanism, allowing the battery to automatically orient itself correctly with the receiving unit without requiring separate alignment operations or complex external alignment devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enables faster and more efficient battery exchange by eliminating the need for external lifting devices and reducing the time needed to align the battery unit with the receiving unit, while also providing stable support and minimizing the force required for lifting.

Implementation Method 1

each of the first and second engagement elements being adapted for engaging each other while moving relative to each other along an associated sloping path in order to lift the battery unit from the unmounted position to the mounted position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSloping path mechanism: Inclined Plane

Data Source

PatentEP3787921B1Battery exchange system and method
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 R U ENG & DETACHERING BV
  • EP3787921B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3787921B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3787921B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Battery exchange system for an electric vehicle, comprising: a battery unit; a battery receiving unit adapted for being fixed at or near a bottom surface of an electric vehicle and comprising a housing with an opening at a bottom side of housing for at least partially receiving the battery unit in the housing through the opening, wherein the battery receiving unit has a central axis which extends through the opening; wherein the battery receiving unit is adapted for allowing movement of the battery unit along its central axis between an unmounted position below the battery receiving unit and a mounted position at least partially within the battery receiving unit, wherein the battery unit comprises first engagement elements and the battery receiving unit comprises second engagement elements, each of the first and second engagement elements being adapted for engaging each other while moving relative to each other along an associated sloping path in order to lift the battery unit from the unmounted position to the mounted position or lower the battery unit from the mounted position to the unmounted position, wherein said associated sloping path slopes with respect to a plane normal to the central axis.