Top-Swappable Battery Deck for Electric Scooters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric scooters face challenges due to demanding environmental conditions such as rain, puddles, and microvibrations, which affect the battery and electrical connections, especially in shared scooter systems where frequent use and outdoor placement exacerbate these issues.
Innovation Solution
The design features a removable deck assembly with a battery pack attached to the lower surface, allowing for easy top-swappable batteries with electrical connectors that twist to secure and release, and elastic mounting blocks to protect against vibrations and water, along with a latch system for secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the battery is made removable and accessible from the top, then battery replacement efficiency is improved and scooter collection trips are reduced, but the electrical connections and battery are exposed to demanding environmental conditions including rain, puddles, and microvibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The scooter is divided into modular components: a removable deck assembly containing the battery pack, separated from the main frame. This segmentation allows the battery to be independently accessed and replaced from the top of the scooter without collecting the entire vehicle, improving productivity while isolating the electrical connections to protected mating interfaces between modules
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic mounting blocks are introduced as intermediary elements between the electrical connectors and the rigid deck/frame structure. These elastic blocks absorb microvibrations and mechanical stresses, protecting the electrical connections from damage while allowing the deck assembly to be easily removed. The elastic material acts as a mediator that isolates the sensitive electrical interface from harmful environmental forces
2Ease of operation
If the deck assembly is made easily removable for battery swapping, then ease of operation is improved, but secure attachment and protection from environmental factors become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic mounting blocks are pre-installed at the electrical connection points before the deck assembly is attached to the frame. These blocks provide beforehand cushioning against microvibrations and water ingress, creating a protective barrier that is already in place when the deck is secured, thereby protecting electrical connections without complicating the removal process
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic mounting blocks function as flexible protective elements that conform to the electrical connector interfaces. These flexible components provide both mechanical cushioning against vibrations and a degree of environmental sealing, allowing easy deck removal while maintaining protection during operation
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 solution enables efficient battery replacement without tools, reduces scooter collection trips, and extends the lifespan of electrical components by isolating them from microvibrations and water, while allowing for secure and easy installation and removal of the deck assembly.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic mounting block disposed between the removable deck assembly and the frame, wherein at least one of the first and second electrical connectors is disposed within the at least one elastic mounting block
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electric scooter with a top-swappable battery. In some embodiments, the electric scooter a frame having an opening, and a removable deck assembly disposed in the opening, the removable deck assembly comprising a deck having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a battery pack attached to the lower surface of the deck.