Battery Pack Mounting Structure for Lateral Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs in electric vehicles are prone to catastrophic failure, such as fire or explosion, due to compression forces from lateral impacts, which can cause physical deformation and short circuits, especially when mounted within the vehicle's internal frame.
Innovation Solution
A mounting apparatus that allows the battery pack to descend from its initial position within the vehicle's interior to a secondary position outside the frame in response to a lateral impact, reducing compression forces through a mechanism involving connecting members and panels that shift the battery pack's position, thereby minimizing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the battery pack is securely mounted within the internal frame, then the battery pack is held in a stable position, but the battery pack is vulnerable to compression forces from lateral impacts causing catastrophic failure
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting apparatus transitions from a static rigid mounting to a dynamic system that can change state. The connecting members can shift position relative to the panel under lateral impact forces, allowing the battery pack to move from a first position within the interior opening to a second position outside the interior opening, thereby dissipating impact energy and preventing catastrophic failure
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the battery pack under impact conditions. The plate opening has two regions that enable the connecting member to shift from supporting the battery pack within the interior opening to allowing it to move outside, changing the mounting state based on impact forces
2Reliability
If the battery pack is mounted within the interior opening of the internal frame, then the battery pack is protected and secured, but lateral impacts transfer compression forces onto the battery pack causing deformation and short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting apparatus converts the harmful effect of lateral impact forces into a beneficial outcome. When lateral impact occurs, the connecting members shift position, allowing the battery pack to move outside the interior opening. This movement transforms the harmful compression force into a controlled positional change, preventing catastrophic failure while utilizing the impact energy to activate the protective mechanism
3Ease of operation
If a rigid mounting structure is used to hold the battery pack, then the battery pack remains in a fixed position, but the mounting structure transmits impact forces directly to the battery pack
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into multiple components: the panel with top and bottom layers, the plate with two-region opening, and the connecting member with head and body portions. This segmentation allows different parts to perform different functions - the panel provides structural support while the plate opening regions enable controlled movement, breaking the rigid force transmission path
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods to provide electrical power to components in electric vehicles are described herein. A battery pack can be arranged in a first position within an interior opening defined by a lateral member. A connecting member can be coupled with the battery pack, and can have a head and a body. A panel can be disposed along the lateral member, and can have a top and bottom layer. The top layer can define an opening to pass the head and body. The bottom layer can define an opening to support the head. A plate can be disposed on the top layer and can define an opening. The opening of the plate can have a first region to hold the battery pack in the first position and a second region to allow the battery pack to move to a second position outside the interior opening responsive to an impact.