Side Battery Housing Layout for Work Vehicles With More Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

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

Innovation Solution

The design includes a vehicle with a main body, front and rear wheels, and multiple battery housings (first, second, and side housings) that overlap and are spaced away from each other, allowing for increased battery storage capacity without affecting wheel turning capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a single housing includes multiple batteries in series-connected sets, then electrical power storage capacity is increased, but space utilization efficiency is reduced due to gaps from vertical offset rows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery storage capacityVSAvoidspace utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the battery storage system into multiple separate housings (first housing, second housing, and side housing) instead of using a single housing. Each housing contains battery modules arranged in efficient configurations. This segmentation allows each housing to be optimally packed without wasted space from vertical offsets, while collectively providing the required electrical power storage capacity through series connections between housings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning housings at different locations (forward of rear wheels, side positions) and using overlapping projections. The side housing extends in the width direction while main housings are arranged in the length direction, creating efficient use of available volume without vertical offsets that would create gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If battery storage space is located between front wheels to increase capacity, then electrical power storage is improved, but wheel turning capability is compromised

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the battery housing from the space between the front wheels and relocates it to positions forward of the rear wheels and at side positions. This extraction eliminates the interference with front wheel turning while maintaining battery storage capacity. The side housing specifically is positioned to avoid the wheel turning path while maximizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a side housing as an intermediary battery storage solution that bridges the need for increased capacity and preservation of wheel turning capability. The side housing is positioned laterally to provide additional storage without interfering with the mechanical operation of the front wheels, effectively mediating between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If separate battery housings are used to increase power storage, then battery capacity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical power storage capacityVSAvoidhousing configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple battery housings into a unified electrical power supply system where the housings are series-connected to provide increased voltage and power capacity. The housings share common structural and functional characteristics (battery module arrangements, series connections) that reduce overall system complexity despite the increased number of components. The side housing merges with the main housings to create an integrated power system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4541622A1Work vehicle including side battery housing
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4541622A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4541622A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4541622A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a work vehicle includes a main body (20), at least one front wheel (41R,41L) supported by the main body, at least one rear wheel (42L) supported by the main body, a first housing (60) to house one or more first battery modules (61), a second housing (70) to house one or more second battery modules (71), and a first side housing to house one or more third battery modules. The first housing at least partially overlaps the second housing.