Battery Tray Restriction Mechanism for Tilt-Induced Return Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with slide-out battery configurations, there is a risk that the battery placement portion may return to the inside of the vehicle at unintended timings due to vehicle tilt during battery replacement.
Innovation Solution
A restriction apparatus with a contact section and a switching section that limits the movement of the placement portion to the mounting position, allowing the contact section to switch between contact and non-contact positions based on the battery's placement state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery placement portion is made movable between mounting and replacement positions via a slide mechanism, then battery replacement accessibility is improved, but unintended automatic return to mounting position occurs due to vehicle tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The contact section is positioned to make preliminary contact with the support portion before the placement portion can return to the mounting position due to gravity or vehicle tilt. This preliminary anti-action prevents the unwanted movement by creating a mechanical barrier that counteracts the gravitational force pulling the placement portion inward.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact section acts as an intermediary element between the placement portion and the support portion. When the battery is not present, the contact section physically blocks the support portion, preventing the placement portion from moving. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain reliability without affecting the slide mechanism's functionality when a battery is installed.
2Reliability
If a restriction mechanism is added to prevent unintended return of placement portion, then position stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction mechanism is segmented into separate functional components: the contact section that provides the blocking function and the support portion that provides the structural framework. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively achieving the reliability function, rather than requiring a complex integrated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact section utilizes a simple geometric shape that copies the basic blocking function seen in many mechanical systems. By using a straightforward contact geometry rather than a complex mechanism, the design achieves the required reliability while minimizing added complexity. The contact section essentially copies the functional principle of simple mechanical blocking from conventional engineering solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
A restriction apparatus includes a contact section that restricts movement of a placement portion toward a mounting position, and a switching section that switches a position of the contact section between a contact position and a non-contact position, the contact position being where the contact section makes contact with the support portion when the battery is not placed on the placement portion, the non-contact position being where the contact section does not make contact with the support portion when the battery is placed on the placement portion.