Inverted Pendulum Vehicle Battery Case Access Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inverted pendulum type vehicles have a battery mounting structure that requires significant time and effort to access and replace, as the battery is enclosed within the vehicle body frame, necessitating exposure of the interior for maintenance or battery changes.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle features a battery case with an access opening at the upper end, a pivotally supported lid for easy access, and engagement portions to secure the battery in place, allowing for quick replacement and stable retention without interfering with the vehicle's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the battery is enclosed within the vehicle body frame, then the vehicle structure is compact and secure, but the battery replacement requires significant time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The battery case is separated from the main vehicle body frame, creating an independent accessible module. The battery case can be removed as a complete unit from the vehicle body, allowing quick battery replacement without disassembling the entire vehicle structure. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining compact vehicle structure while enabling rapid battery access.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery case is designed with movable components including a lid that can be opened and closed, and a mounting structure that allows the battery case to be dynamically positioned and removed. The lid pivots between closed and open positions, and the battery case can be detached from the vehicle body when needed, transforming the static enclosed structure into a dynamic accessible system.
2Ease of operation
If the battery is placed in an accessible location, then battery replacement is easier, but the vehicle's compact design and space utilization are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The battery case is nested within the vehicle body frame when closed, utilizing the existing vehicle space efficiently. The battery case fits into a dedicated compartment in the vehicle body, and when the lid is closed, the battery is protected within the compact vehicle structure. When access is needed, the lid opens and the battery case can be removed as a unit, maintaining compact space utilization while providing easy access.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery case is positioned in the upper rear part of the vehicle body, utilizing vertical and rearward space rather than lateral space. This dimensional arrangement allows the battery to be accessible from the rear of the vehicle while maintaining the compact overall footprint. The lid opens upward and the battery case can be removed from the rear, optimizing space utilization in three-dimensional space.
3Reliability
If the battery is secured firmly in place, then the battery is stable during vehicle operation, but the battery removal becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The battery securing mechanism is segmented into multiple independent engagement portions: engagement portions on the battery case body, engagement portions on the battery itself, and engagement portions on the lid. These segmented engagement points can be independently designed and positioned to provide firm retention during operation while allowing easy release when needed. The modular engagement structure enables reliable securing without making removal excessively difficult.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement portions are pre-positioned and pre-designed to facilitate easy removal. The engagement portions on the battery case and battery are configured to disengage smoothly when the lid is opened or the battery case is removed from the vehicle body. The preliminary arrangement of engagement portions ensures that once the lid is opened or the access is gained, the battery can be removed easily without requiring forceful disengagement.
Data Source
AI summary
An inverted pendulum type vehicle (1) includes a propulsion unit (50) provided in a lower part of a vehicle body to actuate a main wheel (52), a drive unit (90, 130) provided in a vertically intermediate part thereof and a seat (200) provided in an upper part of the vehicle body. A battery case (251) is mounted in a part of the vehicle body above the main wheel and behind the drive unit. The battery case is provided with an opening (257) extending from an upper part thereof to a lower end of a rear part thereof. A lid (260) hinged to the battery case selectively covers the upper end of a battery (250) received in the battery case. The battery is retained in the battery case with the help of suitable engagement arrangements (262, 263, 270, 271, 273, 274).