Clamp-Based Battery Module Compartment Cover Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery module compartment covers in electric vehicles require a significant vertical footprint due to traditional bolt-based fixation systems, which can increase the overall height of the battery housing and vehicle chassis.
Innovation Solution
A clamp-based fixation system for the battery module compartment cover that uses U-shaped clamping bars to apply contact pressure between the endplate and the compartment, reducing the vertical footprint by eliminating the need for extensive flange sections and providing a sealed connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bolt-based fixation systems are used for battery module compartment covers, then secure attachment is achieved, but vertical footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is segmented into modular clamp assemblies that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each clamp consists of separate components (clamping element, adjustment mechanism, mounting bracket) that can be assembled and disassembled independently, allowing secure attachment without requiring extensive vertical space for integrated flange sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a vertical stacking approach (traditional bolt-based systems requiring vertical clearance for flanges and bolts) to a horizontal clamping approach. The clamps apply force laterally across the battery module compartment cover, eliminating the need for vertical footprint while maintaining secure attachment through lateral clamping force.
2Length of stationary object
If clamp-based fixation system is used, then vertical footprint is reduced, but sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing element (gasket or seal) is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery module compartment cover and the clamp assembly. This sealing intermediary ensures that the clamping force is distributed evenly and maintains a reliable sealed connection without requiring the clamps to directly create the seal, thus preserving sealing reliability while maintaining reduced vertical footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly incorporates adjustable parameters including clamping force magnitude, clamping force distribution, and clamp position. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between maintaining secure attachment and ensuring adequate sealing pressure, achieving both reduced vertical footprint and reliable sealing connection.
Data Source
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AI summary
In an embodiment, a battery module arrangement is configured for deployment with respect to a battery module compartment within a battery module mounting area of an energy storage system. The battery module arrangement includes a battery module configured to be inserted into and/or removed from an interior space of the battery module compartment via an insertion-side of the battery module compartment, and a clamp-based insertion-side cover configured to be closed over the insertion-side of the battery module compartment. The clamp-based insertion-side cover includes an endplate of the battery module, a compartment section of the battery module compartment, and a plurality of endplate-to-compartment clamping arrangements that are integrated as part of the clamp-based insertion-side cover and are configured to secure the battery module inside of the battery module compartment by clamping the endplate to the compartment section.