Flat Battery Compartment in Tractor Intermediate Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tractor-trailer combinations, the intermediate space between the tractor and trailer is underutilized, limiting the placement of standard-shaped batteries which restricts fuel tank size and increases wiring weight due to vibration issues and longer electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A battery compartment is designed to fit within the intermediate space, using a flat battery shape that deviates from standard sizes, allowing for larger fuel tanks and reduced wiring weight, while maintaining the trailer's swing clearance and tilting motion, and can be integrated with a connection rack and insulation devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard-shaped batteries are placed at the front end of the base frame, then the batteries are easily accessible and protected, but the fuel tank size is restricted and the electrical wiring weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is relocated from the conventional front-end horizontal position to the intermediate space behind the rear cab wall, utilizing the vertical and depth dimensions of the intermediate space. This dimensional shift allows the battery to be positioned in previously unused space, reducing wiring length to the engine while maintaining protection and accessibility.
2Volume of moving object
If the intermediate space is minimized to maximize loading space, then the overall vehicle length is optimized, but no room remains for battery placement
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is nested within the intermediate space behind the rear cab wall, utilizing the available volume efficiently. The battery compartment is integrated into this constrained space, allowing the battery to be housed without increasing the overall vehicle length, thus preserving loading space while providing a viable placement location.
3Volume of moving object
If the battery is placed at the rear end of the tractor frame, then more space is available for fuel tanks, but the batteries are subject to larger vibrations and require expensive vibration reducing holders
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is positioned in the intermediate space behind the rear cab wall, which is a localized area with different vibration characteristics compared to the extreme rear end of the frame. This location provides a compromise between maximizing fuel tank space and reducing vibration exposure, as the intermediate space is structurally supported but does not transmit the full magnitude of rear-end vibrations.
4Length of stationary object
If the intermediate space is reduced to less than 20 cm, then the trailer swing clearance is maintained, but standard-shaped batteries cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using standard-shaped batteries that require significant space, an asymmetric flat battery design is employed. This non-standard shape is specifically adapted to fit the constrained intermediate space behind the rear cab wall, maximizing space utilization while maintaining the required swing clearance for trailer operation.
5Ease of manufacture
If longer electrical connections are used to reach the engine from the front battery position, then the battery placement is conventional, but the wiring weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is pre-positioned in the intermediate space behind the rear cab wall, close to the engine compartment. This preliminary placement decision minimizes the required electrical connection length from the battery to the engine, reducing both wiring weight and manufacturing complexity compared to conventional front-end placement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a tractor for a tractor-trailer combination (1 ) wherein a intermediate space (4) having a pre-selected centre length (d) being less than 20 cm extends from a rear wall (6) of the tractor cab (5) to a swing clearance area travelled by a corner of the trailer (3) when turning about the tractor (2). A battery compartment (9) including a starting battery is arranged in said intermediate space. The invention further relates to a battery compartment (9) wherein the height and width of the battery compartment (9), respectively, are substantially greater than the length of the battery compartment (9) such that the battery compartment (9) is generally flat.