Marine Vessel Battery Case With Floating Water-Tank Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marine vessels lack effective arrangements for batteries that mitigate impact from waves and maintain weight balance stability, with existing technologies not addressing the specific needs of marine vessels regarding battery positioning and impact protection.

Innovation Solution

A marine vessel design featuring a detachable battery case stored in a water tank portion with a float mechanism, allowing the battery to float and move with the water level adjustments, connected via a cable to the propulsion system, and regulated by a vertical motion mechanism to minimize impacts and enhance stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the battery is fixed in a conventional position on the hull, then the structure is simple, but the battery suffers large impacts from waves and the weight balance stability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact on batteryVSAvoidbattery arrangement structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery arrangement is segmented into a separate floating battery case that is independent from the hull structure. The battery case can move independently within the water tank, isolating it from hull vibrations and impacts while maintaining electrical connection through the cable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The floating battery case acts as a counterweight system that can be positioned to balance the hull's weight distribution. By adjusting the battery case's position within the water tank, the center of gravity can be optimized for better stability without compromising battery protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the battery is placed in a fixed position, then the weight balance is stable, but the battery cannot adapt to different operational conditions and impact protection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery position adaptabilityVSAvoidbattery protection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery case is designed to be dynamically movable within the water tank rather than fixed. It can float and reposition itself based on water level changes and hull movement, providing adaptability to different operational conditions while the water tank structure provides consistent protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The water tank structure provides beforehand cushioning by containing the battery case and absorbing impact forces from waves before they reach the battery. The float mechanism also provides cushioning by allowing controlled movement that reduces shock transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the battery case is allowed to move freely with water level changes, then the impact on battery is reduced, but the battery case may collide with the water tank structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact on batteryVSAvoidcollision between battery case and water tank

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery case is designed with a floating mechanism that allows it to flexibly move with water level changes. The case can rise and fall within the water tank without rigid constraints, reducing impact forces while the water itself acts as a cushioning medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The water in the water tank acts as an intermediary between the battery case and the tank structure. Instead of the battery case directly contacting the tank walls, it moves through the water medium which absorbs and distributes impact forces, preventing direct collisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The design reduces battery impact and improves weight balance stability, enabling longer cruising distances and flexible use of existing spaces for battery storage or marine organisms, while maintaining navigation capability.

Implementation Method 1

a float portion (40) that is provided within the water tank portion (20) so as to be movable upward and downward

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS12454337B2Marine vessel

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A marine vessel (10) includes: a hull (11); an electric propulsion portion (15) that propels the hull (11); a water tank portion (20) that is provided on the hull (11) and is capable of storing water in the water tank portion; a float portion (40) that is provided within the water tank portion (20) so as to be movable upward and downward; and a battery case (30) that is attached to the float portion (40) and is capable of storing a detachable portable battery (35) which becomes an electric power source of the electric propulsion portion (15) in the battery case.