Pickup Truck Battery Layout for Range Without Cabin or Bed Loss

Solution Overview

Problem

In plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), mounting a large-capacity battery unit reduces the space available for vehicle occupants and cargo in pickup trucks.

Innovation Solution

The battery unit is arranged with integrated battery stacks positioned in the rear cabin area, overlapping in the front-rear direction and vertically, minimizing space reduction in the passenger compartment and cargo bed by integrating some stacks within the cabin section and others in the cargo section, while ensuring the battery unit does not interfere with occupants or cargo space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a large-capacity battery unit is mounted to increase driving range, then the driving range is improved, but the space available for vehicle occupants and cargo is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving rangeVSAvoidpassenger compartment space

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery unit is nested within the rear cabin area by positioning it between the rear seat and the cargo bed, utilizing the vertical and lateral space that would otherwise be unused. This allows the battery stacks to be integrated into the existing vehicle structure without requiring additional external space, thereby maintaining passenger compartment dimensions while accommodating large-capacity battery storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery stacks are arranged in a multi-dimensional configuration within the rear cabin area, utilizing vertical stacking and lateral positioning between the rear seat and cargo bed. This three-dimensional arrangement maximizes the use of available space in the rear cabin area, allowing large-capacity battery installation without reducing the horizontal footprint of the passenger compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Duration of action of moving object

If a large-capacity battery unit is mounted to increase driving range, then the driving range is improved, but the space available for cargo bed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving rangeVSAvoidcargo bed space

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery unit is nested within the rear cabin area by positioning it between the rear seat and the cargo bed, utilizing the vertical and lateral space that would otherwise be unused. This allows the battery stacks to be integrated into the existing vehicle structure without requiring additional external space, thereby maintaining passenger compartment dimensions while accommodating large-capacity battery storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery unit is segmented into multiple battery stacks that are arranged in a distributed configuration within the rear cabin area. This segmentation allows the battery system to be integrated into the space between the rear seat and cargo bed, minimizing the impact on cargo bed accessibility and space while achieving the required total battery capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If battery stacks are positioned in the rear cabin area, then space for occupants and cargo is maintained, but the battery unit must be integrated into a constrained space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger compartment spaceVSAvoidbattery unit integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery unit is segmented into multiple battery stacks that are arranged in a distributed configuration within the rear cabin area. This segmentation allows the battery system to be integrated into the space between the rear seat and cargo bed, minimizing the impact on cargo bed accessibility and space while achieving the required total battery capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery stacks are arranged in a multi-dimensional configuration within the rear cabin area, utilizing vertical stacking and lateral positioning between the rear seat and cargo bed. This three-dimensional arrangement maximizes the use of available space in the rear cabin area, allowing large-capacity battery installation without reducing the horizontal footprint of the passenger compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20260062070A1Pickup truck

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A pickup truck includes a cabin section defining a passenger compartment includes a front seat and a rear seat. A hood is located frontward from the cabin section. A cargo section including a cargo bed having an upper opening is located rearward from the cabin section. In the pickup truck, a front end of a battery unit is arranged downward from the rear seat of the cabin section.