Battery Junction Box Housing Directing Crash Forces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric vehicle battery housing designs lack effective crash force management, which can lead to damage to battery modules and associated electrical components during accidents, potentially causing fires and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A battery housing arrangement with a center structural support bar and a battery junction box (BJB) housing positioned between this bar and vehicle chassis bars, directing crash forces to the structural support bar to protect the battery modules and electrical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional battery housing designs are used without crash force management structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the protection of battery modules and electrical components from crash forces is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of battery modulesVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery junction box housing is merged with crash force management functionality by positioning it between the center structural support bar and vehicle chassis bars, creating a multi-functional component that both houses electrical components and directs crash forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery junction box housing serves as an intermediary structure that transfers crash forces from the vehicle chassis bars to the center structural support bar, protecting the battery modules while managing structural loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the BJB housing is positioned between the center structural support bar and vehicle chassis bars to direct crash forces, then the protection of electrical components is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of electrical componentsVSAvoidhousing arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery junction box housing performs multiple functions simultaneously: it houses electrical components for power distribution and serves as a structural element for crash force management, eliminating the need for separate protective structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If the housing stiffness is enhanced to improve crash force direction, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidhousing manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure is designed as an integrated assembly combining the battery junction box, electrical components, and crash force management features into a single manufacturable unit, reducing overall manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3526068B1Battery junction box housing configured to direct crash forces in an electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 TIVENI MERGECO INC
  • EP3526068B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3526068B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3526068B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an embodiment, a battery housing arrangement integrated into a vehicle floor of an electric vehicle includes a BJB housing including a BJB configured to be electrically coupled to each of a plurality of battery modules in a battery housing upon installation of the plurality of battery modules into the battery housing. The BJB housing is positioned between at least one center structural support bar and one or more vehicle chassis bars, and is configured to protect the plurality of battery modules in the battery housing from crash forces by directing crash forces from the one or more vehicle chassis bars to the at least one center structural support bar.