Transverse Battery Pack Layout for Hybrid Vehicle Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In hybrid vehicles, the placement of the electric accumulating system is complex due to space constraints, leading to non-optimal positioning that limits energy storage and the use of the electric machine, as it must be protected from impacts, heat, and positioned close to the center of gravity to avoid unbalancing the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

The electric accumulating devices are housed in rectangular section tubular boxed bodies attached to the vehicle's chassis, strategically positioned under the floor to minimize cable length, protect from impacts, and dissipate heat, while being close to the center of gravity to maintain vehicle balance, with adjustable configurations for summer and winter heat management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the electric accumulating system is placed close to the electric machine to reduce cable length and power losses, then energy efficiency is improved, but the vehicle's center of gravity balance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower losses in electric cablesVSAvoidvehicle balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the electric accumulating system from traditional longitudinal positions (front or rear) to a transverse arrangement beneath the passenger compartment floor. This dimensional repositioning allows the battery pack to be placed centrally between the front and rear axles, optimizing both electrical connectivity to the electric machine and vehicle weight distribution for balanced handling characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the electric accumulating system is placed in a compact space to maximize vehicle interior volume, then space utilization is improved, but protection from impacts and heat deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuseful spaceVSAvoidimpact protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electric accumulating system is nested within the structural framework of the vehicle's passenger compartment floor. The battery pack is housed in a containment structure that integrates with the floor pan and chassis members, providing mechanical protection from impacts while utilizing the existing structural space efficiently. This nested arrangement protects the batteries without sacrificing passenger cabin volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates protective structural elements and spacing provisions within the battery containment structure before assembly. The design includes reinforced sections and buffer zones that provide impact absorption and thermal isolation, ensuring protection is built-in from the design stage rather than added as an afterthought.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Temperature

If the electric accumulating system is placed away from heat sources to prevent overheating, then thermal management is improved, but the complexity of arrangement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidarrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse arrangement beneath the passenger compartment serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal isolation from engine and exhaust heat sources, maintains optimal weight distribution, reduces cable length to the electric machine, and protects the batteries within the structural floor. This multi-functional positioning eliminates the need for separate thermal management structures, simplifying the overall arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 arrangement optimizes the positioning of the electric accumulating system, reducing weight and power losses, enhancing energy efficiency, and allowing for better use of the electric machine by providing a protected, cooled, and balanced configuration that maximizes storage capacity and vehicle dynamics.

Implementation Method 1

strategically positioned under the floor to minimize cable length, protect from impacts, and dissipate heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS8397853B2Method of arranging an electric accumulating system close to a platform of a vehicle and hybrid propulsion vehicle

Publication Date: 2013.03.19 FERRARI SPA

AI summary

A method for arranging an accumulating device in proximity of a floor of a vehicle forming a bottom wall of a passenger compartment of the vehicle itself; the accumulating device has a heating base wall which is free from heat insulation, and a non-heating base wall which is parallel and opposite to the heating base wall and is provided with a heat-insulating material layer; and the method provides for the steps of arranging the accumulating device in a seating obtained in proximity of the floor; and implementing the accumulating device with a symmetry allowing the reversal of the accumulating device itself within the seating obtained in proximity of the floor in such a way that the heating base wall may be equally either facing upwards and then towards the passenger compartment or facing downwards and then towards the external environment.