Electric Scooter Battery Compartment Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric scooters with removable batteries face issues of uneven weight distribution, bulkiness, and compromised braking performance due to the battery's placement and design, which restricts handlebar folding and increases the scooter's weight at the front wheel.
Innovation Solution
An electric scooter design featuring a circumferential frame with a battery compartment that uses a combination of spring elements and magnets for secure battery placement, ensuring even weight distribution and easy battery replacement, while a rocker arm mechanism facilitates manual removal and reinsertion, and a guide slot system for defined pivot insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery holder is arranged vertically in front of the handlebars, then the battery can be easily accessed and replaced, but the handlebars cannot fold in and the scooter becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The battery holder is repositioned from a vertical arrangement in front of the handlebars to a horizontal arrangement within the pedal assembly. This dimensional change allows the battery to be accessed from the side rather than the front, enabling the handlebars to fold in while maintaining easy battery replacement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the battery compartment, supports the battery holder, and maintains structural integrity during handlebar folding. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to accommodate both compact folding and easy battery access.
2Ease of operation
If the battery holder is arranged vertically in front of the handlebars, then the battery is easily accessible, but the weight distribution becomes uneven and braking performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery position is moved from the front vertical arrangement to a horizontal position within the pedal assembly, changing the weight distribution from front-heavy to evenly distributed between the wheels, thereby improving braking performance while maintaining accessibility.
3Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is used to hold the battery, then the battery is firmly secured, but the battery replacement process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical locking mechanism is replaced with a simple magnetic locking system. The holding magnet provides secure battery attachment through magnetic attraction, while the rocker arm mechanism offers a simple manual release action, significantly reducing overall system complexity compared to traditional mechanical locks.
Solution Approach 2:
The rocker arm acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates a simple pivoting motion into the force needed to overcome the magnetic holding force. This intermediary provides a mechanical advantage, allowing easy battery removal without requiring direct manual force against the strong magnetic attraction.
4Volume of moving object
If the battery compartment is integrated into the pedal frame, then the design is space-saving and compact, but the battery insertion and removal requires precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The guide slot and guide pin are designed to perform preliminary positioning of the battery before final insertion. The guide slot receives the guide pin first, pre-aligning the battery horizontally and vertically, which simplifies the subsequent insertion process and ensures precise positioning without requiring user effort.
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 solution provides a space-saving, easily maintainable, and balanced electric scooter with improved braking performance by evenly distributing the battery weight and allowing handlebar folding, enhancing user convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the locking mechanism comprises at least one spring element, which, when the battery is inserted into the battery compartment, is tensioned via the locking means in such a way that a vertical spring force directed opposite to the tread acts on the battery housing, which holds the battery in the battery compartment
Implementation Method 2
the locking mechanism comprises at least one holding magnet which is arranged on the frame, wherein the locking means comprises a holding arm which, when the battery housing is inserted into the battery compartment, projects beyond the latter and has a magnetic section which interacts with the holding magnet in such a way that a vertical force is exerted on the battery housing which is directed counter to the tread surface and by means of which force the battery is held in the battery compartment
Data Source
Figure 1a)~1b)
Figure 1c)~1d)
Figure 2a)~2c)
AI summary
An electric scooter (1) with a footboard (2) on which a rear wheel (35) is arranged at the rear, the rear wheel being connected to an electric motor (36) by which it can be driven, wherein a replaceable battery (4) is arranged which is electrically connected to the electric motor (36), wherein the footboard (2) comprises a surrounding frame which defines a battery compartment (23) which receives the battery (4), wherein the battery (4) comprises a battery housing (41) which closes the battery compartment (23) and whose upper surface forms the footboard surface of the footboard (2), and wherein the battery housing (41) has locking means which interact with a locking mechanism arranged on the frame by which the battery (4) is detachably connected to the frame. The invention further relates to a battery for use in such a kick scooter.