Captive Screw Battery Pack Stacking for Shock-Stable Marine Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing battery packs on ships restrict installation to a single layer due to instability and thermal variations, leading to inefficient use of space and potential damage from shocks.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing captive screws, reinforcements, bottom stops, and tie-down tensioners allows battery packs to be stacked securely by engaging with grooves on the packs and the ship's structure, providing multi-axis stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery packs are installed in a single layer with hooks and wedges, then stability is improved, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from single-layer horizontal arrangement to multi-layer vertical stacking by introducing captive screws that extend through multiple battery packs vertically. This dimensional change allows stable fixation while maximizing space utilization in the vertical direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The captive screws are inserted through grooves in multiple battery packs simultaneously, with the screw body nesting through the stacked packs and being secured by nuts at the bottom. This nested arrangement through multiple layers provides stable fixation while enabling vertical stacking.
2Volume of moving object
If battery packs are stacked vertically, then space utilization is improved, but stability deteriorates due to shocks and thermal variations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses elastic elements (springs) integrated into the captive screw assembly that can dynamically adjust to shocks and thermal expansions. The springs compress or extend to accommodate vertical movements and thermal variations, maintaining stable fixation of stacked battery packs under varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic springs in the captive screw assembly provide beforehand cushioning against shocks and thermal variations. The springs are pre-configured to absorb vertical shocks and accommodate thermal expansion before damage can occur to the battery packs or fixation system.
3Reliability
If multiple fastening systems are used for horizontal and vertical blocking, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The captive screw assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides vertical fixation by securing battery packs to the support structure, enables horizontal positioning through the groove orientation, and incorporates elastic elements for shock absorption and thermal compensation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate fastening systems for different blocking directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the vertical anchoring function, horizontal positioning function, and shock absorption function into a single integrated captive screw assembly. The groove-captive screw-nut-spring combination consolidates multiple fastening operations into one unified mechanism, reducing overall system 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
Enables efficient, space-saving, and secure stacking of battery packs across multiple layers, effectively addressing instability and shock issues while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (67) configured to be inserted on the cylindrical intermediate part (62) of the screw (57)
Implementation Method 2
This environment can also undergo significant expansions linked to variable thermal conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for securing a plurality of battery packs (20). Each battery pack (20) defining two side walls, a proximal wall, a distal wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and a plurality of securing grooves. The system comprises a plurality of reinforcements each defining a through hole between an upper end and a lower end and a plurality of captive screws. Each captive screw is adapted to be inserted into a through hole of a reinforcement, when this reinforcement is inserted into a groove of a battery pack (20), and in a secured position, to partially pass through this hole in order to secure this battery pack to a battery pack of a lower layer or to the floor.