EP-4741196-A1 - VEHICLE WITH MEANS FOR ABSORBING ENERGY FROM KNOCKS OR IMPACT

Abstract

Vehicle having a body which in turn has a compartment or space (2) inside which is housed a mass (1) which is connected in oscillating fashion to said compartment or space (2) by way of means of connection (3) that are rigid in the absence of any impact and which, following an impact, are at least partially released. The means of connection (3) following impact may be flexible connections (3a), free connections (3b) or compact mixed connections (3c) or composite mixed connections (3d). It is particularly applicable to electric vehicles in that it protects the batteries against shocks and impacts and the consequent risk of leakage and breakage and thus explosion of the batteries, while allowing deformation of the body in the impact zone to be lesser than in the traditional state-of-the-art design methodology.

Inventors

• GARCIA BARRUETABEÑA, Jon
• ARENZANA ZORRILLA, Carlos

Assignees

• Universidad de Deusto
• Arenzana Zorrilla, Carlos

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20230707

Claims (7)

1. Vehicle with means for absorbing the impact of shock or impacts characterised in that the vehicle contains a compartment or space (2) housing a mass (1) which is connected to said compartment or space (2) by way of means of connection (3) that in combination act as rigid when there is no impact and which in the event of impact are at least partially released at their connection with the body compartment.
2. Vehicle with means for absorbing the impact of shock or impacts as per Claim 1, characterised in that the means of connection (3) consist of the use of means of connection (3a) that are flexible following impact and which, through their deformation, transmit the energy of the impact (6) from the compartment or space (2) to the oscillating mass (1), thus minimising deformation to the body of the vehicle.
3. Vehicle with means for absorbing the impact of shock or impacts as per Claim 1, characterised in that the means of connection (3) consist of means of connection (3b) that are free following impact, comprising pop-up plates or lugs (8) wherein said plates or lugs (8) have at their ends a perforation so that they are aligned and through which a bolt (9) can be passed that can be released by means of an electronic release unit (10) fitted on the bolt (9).
4. Vehicle with means of absorbing and/or dissipating the energy of shock or impacts as per Claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the means of connection (3) between the mass (1) and the compartment or space (2) consist of the use of compact mixed means of connection (3c) which consist of having means of connection having a flexible part and a free part, i.e. they have means of connection (3b) that are free following impact and means of connection (3a) that are flexible following impact, the two means of connection being arranged in combination.
5. Vehicle with means of absorbing and/or dissipating the energy of shock or impacts as per Claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the means of connection (3) between the mass (1) and the compartment or space (2) consist of the use of composite mixed means of connection (3d) comprising means of connection that are free following impact, that have a friction shoe (11) which prevents the mass (1) from being released from the structure or compartment (2) before impact. On occurrence of the impact, an electronic unlocking device (13) would release the shoe, causing displacement of the mass (1) in the relative plane, relative to the compartment or space (2) by means of the linear or planar guides (12).
6. Vehicle with means of absorbing and/or dissipating the energy of shock or impacts as per the preceding claims characterised in that the means of connection (3) between the mass (1) and the compartment or space (2) are any of the following means of connection following the impact, or any combination thereof: - Means of connection that are flexible (3a) following impact; - Means of connection that are free (3b) following impact; - Compact means of connection of mixed performance (3c) following impact; - Composite means of connection of mixed performance (3d) following impact.
7. Vehicle with means of absorbing and/or dissipating the energy of shock or impacts as per any of the preceding claims characterised in that the mass (1) is the battery or battery pack/block/structure of an electric or hybrid vehicle.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION As established in the title of the invention, the object of the present invention is a vehicle provided with means for absorbing the impact of shock or impacts, for use primarily, but not restrictively in electric vehicles having a compartment or space intended to house batteries. The present invention is characterised by the special design and configuration of all elements involved in protection against impacts or collisions based on the provision of a mass in a compartment in the vehicle body, where said mass is connected to the compartment or body by way of means of connection which, acting in combination, are rigid in the absence of any impact and whose connection with the body compartmentare at least partially releasedin the event of impact. In the case of electric vehicles, this mass is the battery itself. The present invention therefore relates to the field of vehicles and more specifically it relates to means developed for absorbing the energy of impacts and shocks with the least deformation of the compartment, resulting in protection of both the body compartment and the battery. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Currently, in order to provide the structural area with the required rigidity and to protect both the battery and the compartment and to ensure that it performs with a suitable degree of deformation and damage, the potential area of impact is designed by choosing appropriate material and structural geometry. There are currently a number of circumstances in which lithium batteries pose certain risks. The most common risk associated with said batteries is what is known as 'thermal runaway', which can cause the batter of the electric vehicle to explode as a result of shocks and impacts. Thermal runaway occurs when the battery overheats, causing a chain reaction whereby all the thermal cells in the battery eventually catch fire. The cause of this phenomenon usually lies in the battery itself, and may consist of a manufacturing fault, a damaged component or the presence of dust clogging the battery. Normally, small shocks are not capable of causing a fire or explosion, but it should be noted that a reaction may occur after up to 3 days. It is therefore important to take precautions and wait for a reasonable period of time if battery overcharging has caused any form of suspicious reaction. In addition to the problem of thermal runaway, lithium batteries also pose other risks and hazards (albeit of very limited likelihood) in the event of battery overstrain, that need to be taken into account. Most are related to the potential appearance of gases, and the presence of liquids that contribute to battery operation, but may pose a risk in the event of a shock, leakage or fire. It should be noted that, unlike the battery of a petrol-driven car, lithium batteries do not emit gas during operation. However, in the event of overcharging, discharge or short-circuit of the electrical cells, toxic gases may be emitted. The use of highly corrosive gases and liquids is common in this type of battery, and suitable precautions must therefore be taken. Indeed, the liquid used in the batteries is presented in the form of a gel to prevent it from spraying onto the rest of the vehicle in the event of an accident. As already mentioned, the expulsion of gases does not usually entail a risk due to the location of the battery. The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the latent dangers arising from the shocks to which the batteries may be subjected as a result of a blow or impact, by developing a vehicle with means of absorbing energy in the event of shocks and impacts in such a way that the chassis or body may be lighter, as described below and set forth in its essence in the first claim. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is set forth in its essence in the independent claim and the various embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims. The object of the present invention is a vehicle provided with means of absorbing energy from shocks and impacts in the event of an accident with the least deformation of the compartment, resulting in protection of both the body compartment and the battery. To achieve said purpose, the energy of the impact has to be transferred to and absorbed by another area or multiple zones of the structure itself. This is achieved by means of an element of a large mass that can move by oscillating or vibrating with respect thereto. It is this mass, which can oscillate or vibrate, that receives part of the energy of the impact. This received energy causes the component to oscillate or vibrate. This energy, which is borne by the large mass, dissipates as it oscillates until coming to a halt. In the case of an electric vehicle, a great deal of synergy already exists, since a large mass is available in the part of the structure that is the impact zone of the body or platform, namely the battery itself. The batteries are housed in a c