Movable Vehicle Battery Positioning for Center of Mass Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems lack the ability to dynamically shift the weight of components, such as batteries, to significantly alter the vehicle's center of mass during operation, which limits the potential for desirable changes in driving characteristics, especially during acceleration, deceleration, and turning maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A weight shifting system that includes sensors to detect vehicle conditions, a processing unit to generate control signals, and a positioning device to move the vehicle's components, like the battery, by up to 12 inches, thereby changing the vehicle's center of mass and driving characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the center of mass of the vehicle is kept fixed, then the vehicle structure is simple and stable, but the driving characteristic cannot be optimized for different maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the center of mass movable rather than fixed. The battery, which has significant weight, is mounted on a positioning device that can dynamically adjust its position along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This allows the center of mass to be shifted forward or backward depending on the driving maneuver required, enabling optimization of acceleration, deceleration, and turning characteristics without requiring a completely reconfigurable vehicle structure
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device serves multiple functions: it acts as a mounting structure for the battery, provides dynamic center of mass adjustment for various driving maneuvers, and can be controlled through multiple input methods (user control, sensor-based automatic control). This multi-functionality allows the system to improve driving adaptability without adding separate dedicated systems for each function
2Ease of operation
If a majority of passengers' weight is in the front of the vehicle, then the center of mass shifts forward, but acceleration maneuver performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by using the movable battery as a counterbalance to passenger weight distribution. When passengers are seated in the front, the positioning device shifts the battery rearward to compensate for the forward weight bias, maintaining optimal center of mass position for acceleration. This allows flexible passenger seating arrangements without sacrificing acceleration performance
3Adaptability or versatility
If the battery position is fixed, then the electrical connection is stable, but the center of mass cannot be adjusted during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the positioning device with adjustable mounting structure - that enables battery position adjustment while maintaining reliable electrical connection. The mounting structure includes electrical connectors that remain functional throughout the battery's range of motion, allowing the battery to be positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis while maintaining stable power delivery to the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A system for dynamically shifting a weight of a component of a vehicle, includes: a sensor configured to sense a condition during operation of the vehicle; a processing unit configured to generate a control signal after the sensor has sensed the condition; and a positioning device configured to move the component of the vehicle based on the control signal received from the processing unit; wherein the positioning device is configured to move the component of the vehicle by a distance that is sufficient to change a center of mass of the vehicle by at least 6 inches.