Overlapping Battery Housing Layout for Electric Work Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric work vehicles and tractors are limited in battery storage capacity due to space constraints in their main housing, and they lack separate battery housings to increase power storage efficiency without compromising motive operation, such as wheel turning.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a main body with separate first and second battery housings that overlap, allowing for increased battery storage capacity without affecting the vehicle's motive operation. The battery housings are strategically located forward of the rear wheels, with openings facing the width direction to facilitate efficient battery placement and access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a single housing includes multiple batteries arranged in rows, then the battery storage capacity increases, but gaps are created that reduce space usage efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery storage capacityVSAvoidspace usage efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nested battery arrangements where second rows of batteries are positioned within the vertical projection of first rows, creating a compact nested structure that eliminates gaps and maximizes space utilization while increasing overall battery storage capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Quantity of substance

If separate battery housings are introduced to increase storage capacity, then battery storage space increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery storage capacityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple battery housings into a single integrated housing structure that accommodates multiple battery rows and groups, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining expanded storage capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is designed with universal features including removable covers for access, integrated support structures for multiple battery configurations, and standardized openings that serve multiple functions for both structural support and maintenance access

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

3Quantity of substance

If battery housings are located forward of rear wheels, then space for batteries increases, but the turning degree of front wheels may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery storage capacityVSAvoidwheel turning capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions battery housings in specific locations forward of the rear wheels while maintaining clearance zones that preserve front wheel turning radius, creating localized battery storage areas that do not interfere with steering operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4541621A1Work vehicle with battery modules
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4541621A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4541621A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4541621A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a work vehicle includes a main body, at least one front wheel supported by the main body, at least one rear wheel supported by the main body, a first housing (60) to house a plurality of first battery modules (61), and a second housing (70) to house one or more second battery modules (71). The first housing (60) at least partially overlaps the second housing (70). The plurality of first battery modules (61) housed in the first housing (60) define a first group (62) of battery modules and a second group (63) of battery modules. The one or more second battery modules (71) housed in the second housing (70) define a third group of battery modules (72).