Vehicle Fairing Element for Underbody Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor-vehicle traction batteries installed beneath the body are vulnerable to impacts from obstacles taller than the battery due to their exposed position, and existing solutions cannot provide effective protection without compromising easy access and installation.
Innovation Solution
A fairing element with a negative-incline support surface is rigidly connected to structural body elements between the rear extremity of the vehicle and the battery, creating a ramp that lifts the vehicle and battery above obstacles, while being designed to absorb stresses and minimize drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protection element is installed directly beneath the traction battery, then the battery is protected from impacts, but the ease of access and removable installation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fairing element as an intermediary protective structure mounted to the vehicle body rather than directly to the battery. This fairing element extends beneath the battery to provide impact protection while maintaining clear access to the battery terminals and connection points, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility
2Power
If the traction battery is positioned prominently beneath the body for optimal vehicle dynamics, then vehicle performance is improved, but vulnerability to underbody impacts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is segmented into multiple components: the fairing element with its lower support surface, the linking means, and the structural body element connections. This segmentation allows the protection system to be optimized independently from the battery positioning, enabling the battery to maintain its prominent position for vehicle dynamics while the segmented fairing provides distributed impact protection
3Strength
If a rigid protection structure is added beneath the battery, then impact resistance is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides impact protection, acts as a structural link between the battery mounting and vehicle body, and its lower support surface with negative incline serves as both a protective barrier and an aerodynamic fairing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining strength
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
The solution effectively protects the traction battery from impacts by lifting it above obstacles, ensuring safety and comfort, while also providing a driver warning system and maintaining easy access for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the protection device according to the invention has a lower support surface beneath the body forming a negative-incline ramp, on which the obstacle is advantageously caused to slide during maneuvers of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An impact protection device for a motor-vehicle member mounted protrudingly beneath the body thereof, including a fairing element configured to be rigidly connected to at least one structural body element of the motor vehicle located between one extremity of the motor vehicle from which an obstacle may appear during a maneuver of the motor vehicle and the motor-vehicle member. The fairing element includes a lower support surface extending beneath the body substantially between the extremity of the motor vehicle and the motor-vehicle member along a negative incline, such that the low point of the lower support surface is lower than the low point of the motor-vehicle member along a vertical axis of the motor vehicle.