Integrated HV Battery Tray Structure for More Installation Space

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High-voltage batteries in motor vehicles require significant space and weight, and existing designs are costly due to separate components and air gaps, which limit energy storage and vehicle range, and complicate maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A high-voltage battery housing formed by a single-piece trough with side walls and lid, integrated into the vehicle body, eliminating separate components and air gaps, allowing upright battery cell mounting and direct installation, with a carrier plate forming the base and supporting structure, enabling increased installation space and cost-effective production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If separate battery housing components and air gaps are used, then manufacturing and maintenance are simplified, but installation space is wasted and energy storage capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidbattery housing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the battery housing sides and cover into a single integrated tray component, eliminating the need for separate housing parts and reducing the number of assembly steps. This integration directly increases the usable installation space by eliminating gaps between components while maintaining structural integrity for protective functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Weight of moving object

If conventional battery housing with separate components is used, then manufacturing and assembly are easier, but weight and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery housing weightVSAvoidbattery housing production
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The battery housing is designed as a single integrated tray that combines the functions of sides and cover, reducing the total number of parts and associated fastening elements. This consolidation decreases overall weight while simplifying the manufacturing process through fewer production steps and assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If air gaps are maintained between battery and vehicle structure, then protection from chafing and corrosion is improved, but installation space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from chafing and corrosionVSAvoidavailable installation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated tray design eliminates air gaps between battery housing components, maximizing installation space. The tray is positioned to close off the floor assembly from below, maintaining protective separation from the vehicle structure while utilizing the full available volume for battery cell placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4432434A1Motor vehicle having a high-voltage battery
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 MAGNA STEYR FAHRZEUGTECHNIK AG & CO KG
  • EP4432434A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4432434A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4432434A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motor vehicle with a high-voltage battery, wherein the high-voltage battery comprises a battery housing, the battery housing comprising at least side walls (1.1) and a lid (1.2) covering the side walls (1.1) at the top, wherein a plurality of battery cells (2) are arranged in the battery housing, wherein the side walls (1.1) and the lid (1.2) are formed integrally by a bottom-opened tray (1), wherein a support plate (4) forms the bottom of the high-voltage battery covering the tray (1) at its underside, wherein the battery cells (2) are mounted upright on the support plate (4) such that the electrical contacts of the battery cells (2) are directed upwards and the cell bottoms are directed downwards, and a method for manufacturing such a motor vehicle.