Light EV Battery Holder with Pivot Latch for One-Handed Swapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery holders for light electric vehicles face challenges in easy and secure insertion and detachment, often requiring both hands and lacking firm holding mechanisms, especially when batteries of various shapes and sizes need to be accommodated.
Innovation Solution
A battery holder design featuring a fixed end with a pivot surface and a moving end with a latch system, including a telescopic extender and torsion unit, allowing one-handed operation and secure holding in multiple orientations through a combination of pivot, latch, and chamfer mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional locking mechanism is used for battery insertion and detachment, then the battery is held securely, but the operation requires both hands and becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The battery holder employs self-latching mechanisms where the latch automatically engages with the battery upon insertion and self-unlatches upon detachment. The spring-loaded latch and pivot surface work together to create automatic locking and unlocking actions, eliminating the need for manual intervention beyond simple insertion and removal motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is divided into separate functional elements: a pivot surface for rotational movement, a latch for engagement, a spring for providing locking force, and a cam surface for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, contributing to overall ease of operation while maintaining secure holding.
2Reliability
If a simple holding mechanism is used, then the operation is easy, but the battery is not held firmly enough
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded latch is pre-loaded to automatically engage with the battery upon insertion. The pivot surface is positioned to guide the battery into the correct orientation before the latch engages, ensuring reliable holding without requiring complex manual alignment or multiple steps from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot surface provides a curved guiding path that naturally directs the battery into the proper position for latching. This curved geometry simplifies the insertion motion while ensuring the battery is correctly oriented for secure engagement, combining ease of operation with reliable holding.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed battery holder design is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate batteries of various shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The battery holder incorporates a movable latch that can pivot and adjust its position dynamically. The cam surface allows the latch to move through different positions during insertion, accommodating variations in battery dimensions and shapes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism can adjust its engagement parameters (position, angle, force) based on the specific battery being inserted. The spring-loaded design allows the latch to adapt its locking force and position, enabling the same holder structure to securely accommodate batteries of various shapes and sizes without requiring multiple specialized designs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy, one-handed insertion and detachment of batteries while providing firm holding and adaptability to different battery shapes and sizes, enhancing user experience and security.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion unit arranged between the arm and the latch support. The torsion unit is arranged to provide torsion to the arm to rotate the arm around the axle towards the fixed end
Implementation Method 2
a force unit arranged between the arm and the extender. The force unit is arranged to provide force to extend the extender from the arm
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a battery holder for a light electric vehicle (1). Battery holder (30) comprises a fixed end (80) and a moving end (84). The fixed end (80) comprises at least one pivot surface (81) arranged to provide a pivot to the battery (20) during the insertion and detachment of the battery (20). The moving end (84) comprises a latch support (101), a locking unit (150) and a latch (108). The latch (108) comprises an axle (102), and an arm (110) arranged to rotate around the axle (102), and an extender (120) arranged to extend and contract the latch (108) telescopically in relation to the arm (110). The extender 120 comprises a latch tongue (130) arranged to hold the battery (20). The latch (108) also comprises a force unit (123) and a torsion unit (103).