Moveable Skid Plate for EV Battery Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle (EV) battery armor systems compromise aerodynamic performance when providing protection against offroad hazards, reducing the all-electric range (AER) of the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A battery armor system with a moveable skid plate and actuators that deploy and retract based on environmental conditions, forming an airgap to protect the battery while minimizing aerodynamic impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed skid plating/armor is added to protect the battery, then battery protection is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a moveable skid plate that can dynamically change its position between a retracted position (flush with underbody) and a deployed position (lowered to provide protection). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to provide battery protection only when needed, eliminating the continuous aerodynamic drag penalty of fixed armor while maintaining reliability when offroad hazards are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the vertical position parameter of the skid plate based on detected driving conditions. Sensors detect offroad conditions and trigger actuator(s) to move the skid plate from its retracted position to a deployed position, creating an airgap between the battery and ground while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency during normal driving.
2Reliability
If moveable skid plate is deployed to protect battery, then battery protection is improved, but all-electric range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable skid plate operates periodically rather than continuously - it is deployed only during specific periods when offroad conditions are detected and retracted during normal driving periods. This periodic deployment minimizes the time the skid plate creates aerodynamic drag, thereby preserving all-electric range while providing protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the skid plate position based on real-time sensor input, deploying protection only during offroad segments and retracting during highway or city driving, thus optimizing the balance between protection and energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery armor system and method of deploying the same are provided. The battery armor system may comprise one or more sensors configured to detect whether one or more conditions within an environment of a vehicle are met, a moveable skid plate, positioned under a vehicle battery, configured to move between a retracted position and a deployed position, and one or more actuators configured to move the moveable skid plate between the retracted position and the deployed position. In the deployed position, an airgap may be formed between the moveable skid plate and the vehicle battery. The one or more actuators may be configured to move the moveable skid plate into the deployed position upon detection that the one or more conditions are met.