Vehicle Battery Protection Structure Using Overlapping Impact-Absorbing Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle battery protection structures are inadequate in effectively absorbing impact energy during side collisions, leading to potential battery damage such as leakage or gas generation, and often require complex and costly dedicated cushioning members.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle battery protection structure comprising a vehicle frame member with a through hole, a first duct (battery duct) outside the battery, and a second duct (air-conditioning duct) inserted through the hole to overlap the first duct vertically, providing mechanical strength and deformation capability to absorb impact energy during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated cushioning members are added to protect the battery during side collisions, then impact protection capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing ducts (air conditioning ducts or body ducts) serve dual functions: their original air flow function plus a new function as impact absorption members during side collisions. This eliminates the need for dedicated cushioning members while maintaining protection capability, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The ducts are designed to automatically absorb impact energy through their own deformation when side collision occurs. The ducts themselves become the protective element without requiring additional active components or complex control systems, achieving protection through the inherent properties of the existing structure.
2Reliability
If ducts are positioned to overlap vertically outside the battery, then impact energy absorption is improved through simultaneous deformation, but the risk of duct interference with battery mounting space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the ducts to overlap in the vertical direction (up-down dimension) rather than horizontally. This spatial arrangement allows both ducts to deform simultaneously during impact while maintaining proper clearance from the battery mounting space, effectively using the vertical dimension to resolve the spatial conflict.
3Strength
If the second duct is inserted through the vehicle frame member, then structural integration and impact force distribution are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the second duct with the vehicle frame member by inserting it through a through-hole in the frame. This merging of the duct system with the existing frame structure improves structural integration and impact force distribution, while utilizing pre-existing frame openings minimizes additional manufacturing 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
This configuration effectively mitigates impact forces on the battery by allowing the ducts to deform simultaneously, absorbing collision energy and protecting the battery without increasing costs or complicating the vehicle's configuration.
Implementation Method 1
the impact absorption duct is deformed to absorb kinetic energy of the center console box
Implementation Method 2
the impact absorption duct is deformed to absorb kinetic energy of the center console box
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle battery protection structure includes a vehicle frame member, a first duct, and a second duct. The vehicle frame member is disposed in a region including a battery. The vehicle frame member has a through hole. The battery is mountable on a vehicle. The first duct is disposed on an outside of the battery at a location oriented toward an outside of the vehicle. The second duct is inserted through the through hole of the vehicle frame member. The second duct is disposed to overlap the first duct in a vertical direction of the first duct on the outside of the battery at the location oriented toward the outside of the vehicle.