Industrial Truck Battery Storage Under Platform

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of lithium-ion batteries into industrial trucks with an integrated driver's platform poses challenges for maintenance and inspection, as the large and bulky battery can hinder access to other components and complicate handling.

Innovation Solution

A battery storage area is designed under a stand platform in the frame of the drive part, allowing the battery to be moved from its stand position into this area, enabling easy removal and placement outside the stand, with a cross plate stabilizing the frame and providing a level surface for the battery storage, and wheel carriers serving both as wheel supports and boundary surfaces for the battery location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the battery is deeply integrated into the vehicle as a large and bulky component, then the battery can be permanently installed without separate charging, but maintenance and inspection work on the vehicle becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepermanent battery installationVSAvoidmaintenance and inspection access
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The battery installation space is segmented into two distinct areas: a battery stand position for normal operation and a battery storage area for maintenance. This segmentation allows the battery to be permanently installed during operation but easily removed and relocated to the storage area during maintenance, resolving the contradiction between permanent integration and maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery installation system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The battery can be moved between the battery stand position and the battery storage area, allowing the system to adapt between two states: operational state (battery on stand) and maintenance state (battery in storage area). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between permanent installation and maintenance ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the battery is integrated into the drive part, then the vehicle structure is compacted, but the length of the vehicle becomes too large for good handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle compactnessVSAvoidvehicle length
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery storage area is positioned under the stand platform, utilizing the vertical space dimension rather than extending the vehicle length horizontally. By placing the battery in the storage area during maintenance, the battery is located in a different spatial dimension (underneath rather than at the rear), maintaining compact vehicle length while providing adequate battery space.

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

3Ease of operation

If the battery stand and battery storage area are on the same level, then the battery can be moved without lifting, but the frame structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery movementVSAvoidframe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cross plate is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both a structural reinforcement element for the frame and as a floor for the battery storage area. This universal design allows the cross plate to perform multiple functions simultaneously, reducing the need for additional structural components while maintaining the same-level battery movement capability.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3686150B1Industrial truck with a battery-powered driven part
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 JUNGHEINRICH AG
  • EP3686150B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3686150B1 patent drawingFigure 3a
  • EP3686150B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4d

AI summary

Industrial truck with a load part and a battery-powered drive part, comprising a driver's platform and a frame equipped with a cross plate, a rear wall facing the load part and two wheel carriers, wherein a battery platform is provided between the wheel carriers, and wherein a battery storage area is formed under a platform mounted on the frame in such a way that the battery can be moved from its battery platform into the battery storage area.