Center Console Battery Mounting for Reliable Vehicle Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for integrating a backup battery with a connectivity unit in a vehicle face issues with thermal management and tamper resistance, particularly when the unit is placed on the vehicle's roof or dashboard, and there are challenges with battery placement in a central console configuration.

Innovation Solution

The connectivity unit is integrated into a center console between the driver's and passenger's seats, with a backup battery supported by a fixed plate within the console, limiting wiring losses and simplifying assembly, and the battery powers the unit to transmit emergency communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the connectivity unit is installed on the vehicle's roof or dashboard, then accessibility and installation ease are improved, but thermal management and tamper resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidthermal management
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the connectivity unit with the central console structure, merging the housing of the connectivity unit with the console's existing framework. This integration allows the unit to benefit from the console's protected location while maintaining ease of installation through the console's modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connectivity unit is nested within the central console structure, with the console serving as an outer housing that protects the connectivity unit. This nested arrangement provides thermal management through the console's structure and tamper resistance by embedding the unit in a protected location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the connectivity unit is installed on the vehicle's roof or dashboard, then accessibility is improved, but tamper resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidtamper resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connectivity unit is merged with the central console, which serves as a protected structure that is difficult to access and tamper with. The console's location in the vehicle's center provides natural protection while maintaining functional accessibility through the console's design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connectivity unit is nested within the central console's protected structure, making it inaccessible to unauthorized persons while maintaining functional access through the console's interfaces. The nested arrangement provides inherent tamper resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If the backup battery is separately installed from the connectivity unit, then power supply reliability is improved, but assembly complexity and wiring losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backup battery is merged with the connectivity unit, with the battery integrated into the unit's housing or mounting structure. This combination eliminates separate wiring connections, reducing wiring losses and simplifying assembly while maintaining power supply reliability through direct integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The central console is segmented into functional modules, with the connectivity unit and backup battery forming an integrated power module. This segmentation allows the battery to be closely coupled with the connectivity unit, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining the modular benefits for assembly and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This integration reduces energy losses and simplifies assembly while ensuring reliable emergency communication by utilizing the backup battery to power the connectivity unit, even in power source failures.

Implementation Method 1

a backup battery configured to power the connectivity unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP4436841B1Arrangement of an emergency battery for a connectivity box in a land motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4436841B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4436841B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4436841B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a land motor vehicle comprising: a driver's seat and a passenger's seat; a centre console between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat; a connectivity box (7) inside the centre console; and a support (3) for the connectivity box, attached to the floor of the vehicle; wherein the connectivity box and the support are configured to be attached to one another, and wherein the support comprises a plate (1) configured to receive an emergency battery configured to power the connectivity box.