Stacked Battery Pack Bracing for Stable Marine Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for securing battery packs on ships require installation in a single layer due to instability and thermal variations, leading to inefficient use of space and constraints on installation.

Innovation Solution

A fixing system that allows battery packs to be stacked by using crosspieces, fixing screws, simple side rails, threaded side rails, and threaded rules, which securely fasten the packs along multiple axes, enabling vertical and horizontal stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If battery packs are installed in a single layer with hooks and wedges, then stability is improved, but space utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from single-layer horizontal arrangement to multi-layer vertical stacking by introducing crosspieces that extend perpendicular to the battery pack faces, enabling utilization of the vertical dimension while maintaining stability through multi-axis constraint

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

2Volume of moving object

If battery packs are stacked vertically, then space utilization is improved, but stability deteriorates due to shocks and thermal variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing system is segmented into multiple independent constraint elements: crosspieces for vertical positioning, side rails for lateral constraint, and threaded rules for horizontal positioning. This segmentation allows each element to address specific stability requirements while working together to secure stacked battery packs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses adjustable threaded connections that allow modification of fixing parameters (position, tension, orientation) to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction, as well as shock loads, maintaining stability across varying operational conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If crosspieces and threaded rules are used for stacking, then space utilization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidfixing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crosspieces serve multiple functions: they provide vertical support, enable lateral constraint through side rails, and facilitate horizontal positioning via threaded rules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each constraint direction, managing complexity while achieving stable vertical stacking

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

Data Source

PatentEP3825220B1Fixing system of a plurality of battery packs stacked on each other in a vessel comprising braces, associated alimentation bloc and fixing method
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 NAVAL GRP
  • EP3825220B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3825220B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3825220B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system for fixing a plurality of battery packs (20). Each battery pack (20) defining two side walls, a proximal wall, a distal wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and a plurality of grooves. The system comprises a plurality of crosspieces each defining a bottom wall, a top wall and a stepped through hole extending between the bottom and top walls of this crosspiece along a hole axis, and a plurality of fixing screws adapted to be inserted into stepped through holes until they abut against internal stops and to be screwed into tapped holes formed opposite the stepped through holes, thereby locking the corresponding battery packs (20) along the X axis.