Deformable Battery Contact Member for Side Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery fixing structures either require large protection spaces or heavy, expensive structures to absorb impact during side collisions, which restricts space usage and increases weight, or they do not effectively absorb impact without additional structural reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
A battery fixing structure that includes contact members between vehicle seats, which deform under load to allow the battery to move in the vehicle width direction, absorbing impact and preventing secondary damage without the need for extensive protection spaces or heavy structures, while maintaining easy maintenance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an impact absorbing duct is installed under a center console, then impact during side collision can be absorbed, but the center console enlarges in height direction and takes large space
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member is designed to be deformable rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically change its properties during impact. The contact member deforms when a load of predetermined value or more is input from the vehicle width direction, absorbing impact energy while maintaining a compact structure during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact member changes its physical state from rigid to deformed under impact load. By changing the parameter of structural rigidity dynamically through deformation, the system absorbs impact energy without requiring a large permanent protection space.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a surrounding metal structure body with strength is provided to protect the battery, then impact can be absorbed, but the structure body becomes very thick and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a constantly rigid heavy structure, the contact member is designed to deform dynamically during impact. This dynamic response allows impact absorption with a much lighter structure compared to a permanently rigid metal housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact member is pre-positioned to contact the battery and provide protection, but only activates its energy-absorbing deformation function when impact of predetermined value or more occurs. This provides cushioning exactly when needed without the weight penalty of a constantly engaged heavy structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the contact member is deformed to allow battery movement during impact, then impact can be absorbed, but the battery may move excessively under normal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member maintains high rigidity under normal conditions to stabilize battery position, but transitions to a deformed state when impact load of predetermined value or more is applied. This parameter change allows simultaneous achievement of stability and impact absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact member is designed with specific geometric features (such as hollow portions or thin-walled structures) that allow controlled deformation under impact while maintaining positional stability during normal use. The structure copies the dual requirement of rigidity and deformability through its design.
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
The structure effectively absorbs impact during side collisions, reduces the need for large protection spaces, and prevents secondary passenger damage by allowing the battery to move away from the impact direction, all while minimizing weight and cost.
Implementation Method 1
the contact member is deformed when a load of a predetermined value or more is input from the vehicle width direction, to allow movement of the battery in the vehicle width direction
Implementation Method 2
impact due to the input of the load from the vehicle width direction can be absorbed
Data Source
AI summary
The fixing member includes a lower contact member 32 and an upper contact member (contact members) that come in contact with a battery to support the battery between a driver seat and a passenger seat (vehicle seats), and the lower contact member and the upper contact member are deformed when a load of a predetermined value or more is input from a vehicle width direction, to allow movement of the battery in the vehicle width direction.