Retractable Battery Support Posts for Stable Mining Battery Swaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional diesel-powered mining vehicles face challenges with bulky and heavy batteries in electric loaders and LHD machines, requiring complex infrastructure for battery swapping, limiting flexibility and efficiency in battery replacement.
Innovation Solution
A stabilization system for battery assemblies in mining vehicles, featuring a housing with retractable support posts that automatically deploy to maintain stability on various ground surfaces, allowing for efficient swapping of batteries without the need for specialized inclined surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If batteries are made large and heavy to provide sufficient power for electric loaders and LHD machines, then power capacity is improved, but battery stability on various ground surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A stabilization system with support posts acts as an intermediary between the battery and the ground surface. The support posts extend from the battery housing to provide additional contact points with the ground, ensuring stable positioning during battery swapping operations on various terrains without requiring the battery itself to be redesigned.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization system transitions between deployed and retracted states dynamically. The support posts are extendable and retractable, allowing the battery to adapt its stability configuration based on whether it is being swapped or operating, providing stability only when needed during the swapping process.
2Productivity
If complex infrastructure such as cranes, lifts or other systems is used for battery swapping, then battery replacement capability is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure needs worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The battery assembly performs part of its own stabilization function through the integrated support posts. Instead of requiring external cranes or lifts to manage battery positioning and stability, the battery itself provides stabilization during the swapping process, eliminating the need for complex external infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support posts serve multiple functions: they stabilize the battery during swapping operations, provide ground contact for positioning, and can potentially serve as alignment guides. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate stabilization devices, cranes, or lifts that would otherwise be required.
3Ease of operation
If manual steps and external infrastructure are required for battery swapping, then battery replacement is achieved, but operation time and complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization system is pre-configured and automatically deploys when the battery is placed on the ground. This preliminary stabilization action occurs immediately upon battery placement, eliminating the need for operators to manually set up stabilization equipment or perform multiple manual steps, thus reducing overall swapping time.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical stabilization system for a battery assembly is disclosed. The system includes an actuator and a stabilizer that are configured to work in concert. The actuator and stabilizer are disposed in a housing of the battery assembly. The system may be implemented by depression of the actuator disposed in the housing, which causes the stabilizer to retract a support post into the housing. The depression can occur during a docking operation of the battery assembly with a lift mechanism for an electric vehicle. When the actuator is released, the support post automatically reverts to its previous, deployed state. The support post is configured to maintain the battery assembly in a stable configuration when the battery assembly is separated from the electric vehicle.