Battery Roller Mount for Low-Friction Horizontal Servicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle battery applications, the challenge lies in integrating batteries with heavy weight and limited space, where traditional lifting methods are impractical due to constrained space, requiring horizontal translation and increased friction during installation and removal, which complicates service and installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A roller mount system with rollers fixed in a non-translatable relationship to the battery, allowing only rotational movement, which drops into recesses in the battery compartment upon installation, reducing frictional engagement and enabling easier horizontal installation and removal without additional components or actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional lifting methods are used to install and remove batteries, then vertical installation is achieved, but the method becomes impractical due to constrained space in electrified vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical lifting (z-dimension) to horizontal translation (x-dimension) for battery installation. The battery is designed with a lowest face that translates horizontally into the battery compartment, eliminating the need for vertical lifting space above the battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a roller mount system as an intermediary mechanism between the battery and battery compartment. The rollers reduce friction during horizontal translation, enabling easier battery installation and removal without requiring vertical lifting space.
2Area of stationary object
If horizontal translation is used to install and remove batteries, then space constraints are addressed, but friction increases making the process more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The roller mount system acts as an intermediary that reduces friction between the battery and battery compartment during horizontal translation. The rollers convert sliding friction into rolling friction, significantly easing the installation and removal process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction parameter by introducing rolling elements. The roller mount system transforms the high-friction sliding contact into low-friction rolling contact, enabling easier horizontal battery translation within constrained space.
3Ease of operation
If rollers are added to the battery structure to reduce friction, then ease of installation improves, but the rollers become part of the load path requiring structural integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the roller mount system from the permanent battery structure. The rollers are designed to be removable after battery installation, separating the temporary installation aid from the permanent mounting structure. This eliminates the need for complex integrated roller mechanisms while still providing friction reduction during installation.
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
The system facilitates unassisted horizontal battery installation and removal by reducing friction, ensuring smooth transitions and effective engagement with the battery compartment, while maintaining structural integrity and minimizing vertical displacement during removal.
Implementation Method 1
This requires the batteries to be slid in and out for service and install... The disclosure provides a roller arrangement which has no translation or actuator requirements in order to allow the battery to have reduced frictional engagement with the battery compartment during installation or removal
Data Source
AI summary
In an electrified vehicle, such as a battery electric vehicle, those with a hybrid powertrain, range extended electric vehicles, or hydrogen powered vehicles, integration of the battery may mean that space is very constrained. Typically this means that there is no feasible method to lift the battery to disengage it from the vehicle or to operate any engagement catches or locks etc. The disclosure provides a roller arrangement which has no translation or actuator requirements in order to allow the battery to have reduced frictional engagement with the battery compartment during installation or removal, and also to be well engaged with the battery compartment once installed. Rollers are provided which drop into recesses in the battery compartment at which point they are removed from load bearing engagement and thus, the recesses serve to locate the battery into the installed state in the compartment.