Vehicle Lower Structure Battery Pack Coupling Section
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, the arrangement of battery units under the floor panel alongside a propeller shaft poses challenges during collisions, where the propeller shaft may deform and potentially damage the battery pack, while attempting to protect it may reduce battery capacity or cabin space.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lower structure design featuring a battery pack with a coupling section that positions the battery units on either side of the propeller shaft, with the coupling section located above the propeller shaft and next to the fuel tank, allowing the battery pack to be protected during collisions without compromising battery capacity or cabin space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the battery pack is positioned under the floor panel alongside the propeller shaft to maximize space utilization, then the battery capacity and cabin space are increased, but the battery pack becomes vulnerable to collision damage from propeller shaft deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective structure positioned between the propeller shaft and the battery pack. This intermediary structure absorbs or redirects the deformation forces during collision, preventing direct contact between the propeller shaft and battery units while maintaining the compact under-floor arrangement that maximizes battery capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack is divided into multiple battery units arranged in a segmented configuration under the floor panel. This segmentation allows the battery system to be positioned to optimize both capacity and protection, with each unit potentially isolated to prevent cascading damage while maintaining overall space efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protective structures are added around the battery pack to prevent collision damage, then the battery pack is protected from propeller shaft deformation, but the available cabin space and battery capacity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure is merged with the existing floor panel and battery pack housing design. Rather than adding separate protective elements that would consume additional space, the protection function is integrated into the structural components already present in the vehicle underfloor area, maintaining cabin space while providing collision protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the battery pack is positioned to be higher than the propeller shaft to avoid contact during collision, then the battery pack is protected from deformation, but the available space for battery units and fuel tank is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by utilizing the vertical dimension strategically. The protective structure creates a deformation zone in the vertical direction between the propeller shaft and battery pack, allowing horizontal space to be maximized for battery and fuel tank placement while providing vertical separation for collision protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lower structure includes: a battery pack having first and second battery units and a battery cover; and a fuel tank that is arranged on a vehicle rear side to be higher than the first and second battery units. At positions under a floor panel, the first and second battery units are arranged on both sides in a vehicle width direction of a propeller shaft. The battery cover has a coupling section that couples first and second battery accommodation sections. The coupling section couples the first and second battery accommodation sections such that a vehicle rear side thereof is higher than the first and second battery accommodation sections, extends in the vehicle width direction at a position above the propeller shaft, and is arranged next to a vehicle front side of the fuel tank.