EV Battery Layout Around Motor for Capacity and Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to efficiently position a large-capacity battery in an electric vehicle, as existing configurations face difficulties due to the presence of axles and other components, which makes it hard to mount a large battery while maintaining balance and protecting it from damage on rough terrain.

Innovation Solution

The electric vehicle is configured with a plurality of batteries arranged side by side in the left-right direction, with the electric motor positioned between them. This configuration allows for efficient use of space, balancing the weight, and positioning batteries where the electric motor is not, thus enabling a large-capacity battery system to be mounted effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a large-sized battery is mounted laterally under a seat, then the charging capacity is increased, but the vehicle body cannot accommodate it due to the presence of axles and other components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capacityVSAvoidspace availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into multiple smaller battery units (first battery and second battery) that can be arranged around the electric motor. This segmentation allows the battery components to fit into the limited space within the vehicle body while collectively providing the required large charging capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of mounting the battery in a single lateral position under the seat, the invention utilizes three-dimensional space by arranging battery units in multiple locations around the electric motor (front, rear, left, and right sides). This spatial redistribution maximizes space utilization within the vehicle body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If battery cells are spread on the floor, then the charging capacity is increased, but the batteries are more likely to be damaged on rough terrain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capacityVSAvoidbattery protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery units are nested within the vehicle body structure, positioned in the spaces around the electric motor. This nesting approach protects the batteries from external damage while utilizing the internal volume of the vehicle body, avoiding the vulnerability of floor-mounted battery cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Quantity of substance

If a large battery is mounted in the body, then the charging capacity is increased, but the weight balance and motor positioning are affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capacityVSAvoidweight balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The battery units are asymmetrically distributed around the electric motor based on available space, with the first battery positioned at the front and/or rear sides and the second battery positioned at the left and/or right sides. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes both space utilization and weight distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The battery units are strategically positioned around the electric motor to counterbalance the motor's weight and maintain proper vehicle weight distribution. The arrangement ensures that the center of gravity remains appropriate for stable vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Data Source

PatentEP4516548A1Electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4516548A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4516548A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4516548A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The electric vehicle comprises a body, an electric motor (12), a front wheel and a rear wheel (2) each drivable by motive power from the electric motor (12), and a plurality of batteries (14) each configured to feed electric power to the electric motor (12), the plurality of batteries (14) including at least two batteries (14) arranged side by side in the left-right direction with the electric motor (12) in between.