Load-Absorbing Energy Storage Compartment for Heavy-Duty Frame Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional placement of energy storage systems like batteries or hydrogen fuel tanks in heavy-duty vehicles along longitudinally extending frame rails exposes the frame and connecting brackets to high stress, making them vulnerable to damage and requiring multiple brackets for safe suspension, while also limiting the space for larger systems.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage compartment with longitudinally extending portions forming an encircling load absorbing module that connects between frame rails, absorbing transverse loads and eliminating the need for transverse supports, allowing larger and uninterrupted energy storage systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If energy storage systems are placed along the longitudinally extending frame rails, then the space utilization is improved, but the frame and connecting brackets are exposed to high stress and vulnerability to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage compartment is divided into multiple longitudinally extending portions that form an encircling load absorbing module. This segmentation allows the structure to absorb transversal loads through its longitudinal components, reducing stress concentration and vulnerability to damage while maintaining effective space utilization along the frame rails.
Solution Approach 2:
The encircling load absorbing module is designed to beforehand cushion and absorb transversal loads that may occur during vehicle operation. The longitudinally extending portions are configured to capture and dissipate impact forces before they can cause damage to the energy storage system or frame structure.
2Reliability
If multiple brackets are used to safely suspend the energy storage system, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinally extending portions of the energy storage compartment serve multiple functions: they form the structural housing for the energy storage system, provide load absorption capabilities, and eliminate the need for separate transverse support brackets. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining safe suspension and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural housing and support functions are merged into a single encircling load absorbing module. The longitudinally extending portions combine the roles of compartment walls and structural supports, eliminating the need for separate transverse brackets and simplifying the overall device structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the energy storage compartment uses transverse supports, then the structural stability is improved, but the space for larger energy storage systems is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using transverse supports to provide structural stability, the design inverts the approach by using longitudinally extending portions to form the encircling load absorbing module. This longitudinal configuration provides both structural stability and maximizes the internal space available for larger energy storage systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an energy storage compartment connectable between a pair of longitudinally extending frame rails of a heavy-duty vehicle, the energy storage compartment being arranged to house an energy storage system configured to supply energy to a prime mover of the vehicle for propulsion of the prime mover, wherein the energy storage compartment comprises longitudinally extending portions forming an encircling load absorbing module, the longitudinally extending portions comprising a pair of longitudinally extending side wall portions connectable to the pair of longitudinally extending frame rails, a longitudinally extending floor portion and a longitudinally extending roof portion, wherein the longitudinally extending portions of the encircling load absorbing module are arranged and configured to, when being subject to a load from the longitudinally extending frame rails, absorb the transversal component of the load.