Center Console Battery Tray Layout for Concealed Service Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of vehicles requires a solution to protect backup batteries from low voltage and low amperage situations while minimizing space usage within the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A center console assembly with a frame, upper member, and tray insert that conceals a secondary battery, exposing the ground connection area when the tray insert is removed and concealing the battery when installed, utilizing a cavity designed to retain the battery and featuring a cup holder section on the tray insert.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backup battery is installed in the vehicle, then protection against low voltage and low amperage situations is improved, but valuable space within the vehicle is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is nested within the center console assembly, specifically positioned within a cavity formed by the frame structure. The center console itself is nested within the passenger compartment, utilizing otherwise unused space. This nesting approach allows the battery to be concealed within the vehicle's existing structural elements rather than requiring dedicated battery compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery is positioned in a three-dimensional cavity space within the center console assembly, utilizing vertical and lateral dimensions rather than simply adding horizontal space. The cavity is defined by the frame's first side wall, second side wall, and upper section, creating an efficient use of available volume within the passenger compartment.
2Volume of moving object
If the battery is concealed within the center console assembly, then space utilization is improved, but access for maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The center console assembly is segmented into multiple removable components: the upper member can be removed to expose the battery, and the tray insert can be removed to access the ground connection area. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access specific battery components without removing the entire center console assembly, facilitating easier maintenance while maintaining concealment during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The center console assembly transitions from a static concealed state to a dynamic accessible state through the removal of the upper member and tray insert. This dynamic configuration allows the assembly to adapt between providing concealment during normal vehicle operation and providing access during maintenance, resolving the contradiction between concealment and accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If the ground connection area is always exposed, then ease of connection is improved, but protection of the battery is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tray insert is designed as a separate removable component that can be taken off to expose the ground connection area when needed for maintenance or connection. During normal operation, the tray insert remains in place to protect the battery from impact and other harmful factors. This segmentation allows the system to switch between protection mode and connection mode as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray insert provides dynamic protection, being removable when connection access is needed and installable when protection is required. This dynamic element allows the system to adapt its protective function based on operational requirements, providing impact protection during normal use while enabling easy connection during maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A center console assembly includes a frame, and upper member and a tray insert. The frame has a first side wall, a second side wall and an upper section attached to the first and second side walls with a cavity defined between the first side wall and the second side wall. The cavity is dimensioned to cover and conceal a battery therein. The upper member is installed to the frame and has an opening that exposes a battery. The upper member is dimensioned and shaped to attach to an upper end of the frame. The tray insert is dimensioned to removably attach to the upper member such that with the tray insert removed from the upper member, a ground connection area of the battery is exposed and with the tray insert installed to the upper member, the battery is concealed by the tray insert.