Modular Battery Support Layout for Work Vehicle Range Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrically operated or hybrid work vehicles face challenges in efficiently managing battery capacity for varying travel distances and work durations, as they require large-capacity batteries for long distances or long work periods but not for short distances or short periods, affecting weight, stability, and convenience.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle is designed with a dual battery support system, allowing the use of one or two batteries depending on the task, with the batteries positioned to optimize weight distribution and stability, and providing additional storage space when only one battery is needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a large-capacity battery is mounted to enable long-distance travel or long-time work, then the work vehicle can travel over long distances or perform work over long time periods, but the vehicle weight increases and travel stability and handling deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel distance and work timeVSAvoidvehicle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into two separate batteries (first battery and second battery) with separate support sections. The first battery is mounted in the first battery support section under the seat, while the second battery can be optionally mounted in the second battery support section between the driver section and rear travel device. This segmentation allows flexible configuration where only one battery is used for short-distance tasks (maintaining light weight) and both batteries can be used for long-distance tasks (extending duration).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of moving object

If a large-capacity battery is mounted to enable long-distance travel or long-time work, then the work vehicle can travel over long distances or perform work over long time periods, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel distance and work timeVSAvoidbattery system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second battery support section is designed to serve dual purposes: it can hold the second battery when long-distance travel is needed, or it can be used as storage space for tools and baggage when only short-distance travel is needed. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate storage compartments while still providing the capability for extended range when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the second battery is not mounted, then the vehicle weight decreases and travel stability and handling improve, but the battery capacity is insufficient for long-distance travel or long-time work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel stability and handlingVSAvoidtravel distance and work time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery configuration is made dynamic and adaptable to different operational requirements. The second battery support section is designed to accommodate the second battery when needed, or remain empty to serve as storage space. This dynamic flexibility allows the vehicle to optimize between weight/stability and battery capacity based on the specific task at hand, improving ease of operation for different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This configuration enables the vehicle to adapt to both long and short tasks with improved stability, handling, and convenience by optimizing battery placement and usage, while allowing for tool and baggage storage when not needed for long distances.

Implementation Method 1

a motor configured to supply motive power to the front and rear travel devices with use of electric power from the first and second batteries

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4368430A1Work vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4368430A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4368430A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4368430A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work vehicle includes: a driver section (4) including a seat (6) and disposed in a side view between a front travel device (1) and a rear travel device (2); a first battery support section (31) under the seat (6), a first battery (41) being mountable in the first battery support section (31); and a second battery support section (32) between the driver section (4) and the rear travel device (2) in a side view, a second battery (42) being mountable in and removable from the second battery support section (32).