Vehicle Battery Terminal Retraction for Low-Load Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery storage devices for vehicles face challenges in reducing the load acting on the terminal portion of the battery and the case side connection terminal during battery insertion.

Innovation Solution

A battery storage device with a lock mechanism and a terminal displacement mechanism, where the lock mechanism fixes the battery to the case using a movable block and an operation lever, and the terminal displacement mechanism displaces the case side connection terminal between a retreat position and a connection position, allowing the battery to be inserted without direct contact with the terminal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the battery is inserted into the battery case from above, then the terminal portion of the battery connects to the case side connection terminal inside the battery case, but a significant load acts on the terminal portion and the case side connection terminal

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBattery insertion operationVSAvoidLoad on terminal portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The case side connection terminal is displaced to the retreat position in advance before battery insertion occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the battery is inserted from above, the terminal portion does not come into direct contact with the connection terminal, thereby avoiding significant load during the insertion operation itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The case side connection terminal is made movable between the retreat position and the connection position through the terminal displacement mechanism. This dynamic positioning allows the terminal to be in the retreat position during battery insertion (reducing load) and then move to the connection position after insertion is complete (establishing connection)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the case side connection terminal is positioned to connect with the battery terminal, then electrical connection is established, but the terminal cannot be protected from load during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveTerminal connectionVSAvoidLoad on terminal during insertion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal displacement mechanism positions the case side connection terminal in the retreat position before battery insertion. This preliminary action protects the terminal from harmful load during insertion while ensuring reliable connection is established afterward when the terminal moves to the connection position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal displacement mechanism acts as an intermediary between the battery insertion process and the terminal connection. It mediates by controlling the terminal's position - keeping it retracted during insertion (protecting from harm) and bringing it forward after insertion (enabling connection)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3670313B1Battery storage device for vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3670313B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3670313B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3670313B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery storage device includes a battery case (42) storing a battery (62A or 62B) and a case side connection terminal (43) connected to a terminal portion (41) of the battery (62A or 62B) stored in the battery case (42). The battery storage device further includes a terminal displacement mechanism (45) and an operation member (44). The terminal displacement mechanism (45) causes the case side connection terminal (43) to be displaced between a connection position (P1) contact-connected to the terminal portion (41) of the battery (62A or 62B) and a retreat position (P2) separated from the connection position (P1). The operation member (44) is capable of operating the terminal displacement mechanism (45).