Lateral Battery Mounting Layout for Stable Work Vehicles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electrically operated or hybrid work vehicles require easy attachment and detachment of large and heavy batteries, which is currently cumbersome and labor-intensive, often necessitating the use of cranes or jacks for lifting.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a battery support section that allows for easy left-right movement of the battery, eliminating the need for cranes or jacks by enabling the battery to be mounted and removed in a shorter, more accessible direction, with the battery positioned between the front and rear travel devices for improved stability and handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the battery is mounted in the front portion of the work vehicle, then the battery can be easily accessed, but the center of gravity shifts forward affecting vehicle stability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBattery accessibilityVSAvoidVehicle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mounting dimension from front-back to left-right by providing battery support sections at both left and right rear portions of the work vehicle. This allows the battery to be mounted laterally rather than longitudinally, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and stability.

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

2Use of energy by moving object

If a large and heavy battery is used, then the energy capacity is sufficient, but the battery becomes difficult to attach and detach

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEnergy capacityVSAvoidBattery attachment and detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the battery support function into separate support sections located at the left and right rear portions of the work vehicle. Each support section can independently hold a battery, allowing workers to access and handle batteries more easily by distributing the support locations rather than having a single centralized mounting point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the battery support section is located at the rear of the work vehicle, then the center of gravity is optimized, but the battery requires lifting vertically which needs equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCenter of gravity optimizationVSAvoidBattery mounting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides battery support sections at both left and right rear portions of the work vehicle, enabling lateral mounting and detachment of batteries. This eliminates the need for vertical lifting operations while maintaining rear placement for optimal center of gravity, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.

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

4Reliability

If the work vehicle is made larger to accommodate the battery, then the battery can be mounted securely, but the vehicle size increases beyond necessity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBattery mounting securityVSAvoidVehicle size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the existing rear space by dividing it into left and right battery support sections. This segmented approach allows secure battery mounting in the available rear space without increasing the overall vehicle dimensions, resolving the contradiction between mounting security and vehicle size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4368431A1Work vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4368431A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4368431A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4368431A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work vehicle according to the present invention includes: a driver section (4) including a seat (6, 7); a battery support section (32) in which the battery (42) is mountable and from which the battery is removable, wherein moving the battery (42) from left or right of the battery support section (32) in a left-right direction (A1) allows the battery (42) to be mounted in the battery support section (32), and moving the battery (42) from the battery support section (32) to the left or right of the battery support section (32) in the left-right direction (A1) allows the battery (42) to be removed from the battery support section (32).