Vehicle Body Member as a Structural Battery for Weight and Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle body components made of steel lack the ability to integrate battery capacity enhancements, particularly in reducing weight and increasing strength while accommodating the increasing number of electromagnetic components.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body member utilizing carbon fiber as a reinforcing material for both roof panels and roof rails, which also functions as a negative pole of a secondary cell, incorporating cathode active materials and solid electrolytes to enable charging and discharging capabilities, with insulating layers and series connectors to manage electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel materials are used for vehicle body components, then strength is ensured, but weight reduction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by integrating carbon fiber reinforcement with battery components (electrodes, electrolytes) into vehicle body structures. This allows the body to simultaneously achieve lightweight properties from carbon fiber, strength from the composite structure, and energy storage functionality from the battery integration, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and strength maintenance
2Weight of moving object
If carbon fiber is used as reinforcing material, then weight is reduced and strength is enhanced, but charging and discharging capability is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing carbon fiber components to serve dual purposes: as structural reinforcement providing weight reduction and strength enhancement, and as battery electrodes enabling charging and discharging. The carbon fiber acts as both the reinforcing material and the negative electrode, while the integrated battery structure provides energy storage and release capabilities, thus resolving the contradiction between structural function and energy function
3Power
If battery capacity is increased to support more electromagnetic components, then power supply capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the battery structure with the vehicle body structure. Instead of adding separate battery components, the battery electrodes, electrolytes, and housing are integrated directly into the body panels and structural elements. This consolidation increases power supply capability while reducing overall device complexity by eliminating redundant structural components
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 allows for weight reduction and strength enhancement of vehicle body components while enabling them to serve as secondary cells, increasing battery capacity and output through series and parallel connections, facilitating efficient charging and discharging operations.
Implementation Method 1
the first positive pole portion containing a cathode active material and a solid electrolyte
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body member includes a first cell portion including a first negative pole portion and a first positive pole portion, with one or more first via holes penetrating the first negative pole portion and the first positive pole portion, a second cell portion including a second negative pole portion and a second positive pole portion, an insulating layer disposed between a surface of the first cell portion and a surface of the second cell portion, the insulating layer having one or more insulating via holes, a series connector connecting the first negative pole portion and the second positive pole portion in series via the first via holes and the insulating via holes, a positive pole current collector connected to the first positive pole portion, and a negative pole current collector connected to the second negative pole portion.