US-20260124935-A1 - BATTERY PROTECTION ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A fastening arrangement for fastening a deck plate to a vehicle frame, the fastening arrangement comprising: a first bracket connectable to the vehicle frame; a second bracket connectable to the deck plate; an elastic socket attached to one of the first and second bracket, and a ball stud comprising a straight end and a ball end, the ball end being rotatably connected to the elastic socket and the straight end being connected to the one of the first and second bracket not comprising the elastic socket, such that the ball stud forms a connection between the first bracket and the second bracket.

Inventors

• Vinicius SENA
• Eduardo Zonatto
• Hans Adlerson
• Gebran Amin

Assignees

• VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251027

Priority Date

20241106

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A protection arrangement for an electric vehicle energy storage system, the protection arrangement comprising: a bracket, attachable to a frame of the vehicle, the bracket having an elongate opening; a resilient member arranged in the elongate opening of the bracket; and a protection element comprising a top plate and a lip arranged at an edge of and below a surface plane of the top plate, the lip being configured to slot into the elongate opening of the bracket so that the resilient member is located between the lip and the bracket to absorb vibrations between the protection element and the bracket.
2. 2 . The protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the protection arrangement comprises a fastening arrangement arranged at an opposite edge of the top plate from the lip and configured to attach the top plate to the vehicle frame.
3. 3 . The protection arrangement of claim 2 , further comprising a cover lid arranged to cover the fastening arrangement such that the fastening arrangement is concealed.
4. 4 . The protection arrangement of claim 2 , wherein the fastening arrangement comprises at least one opening, the at least one opening being configured to receive a fastener for connecting the fastening arrangement to the vehicle frame.
5. 5 . The protection arrangement of claim 4 , wherein the fastener is a detachable fastener allowing removal of the protection arrangement by removal of the fastener.
6. 6 . The protection arrangement of claim 2 , wherein the fastening arrangement comprises an anti-vibration fastener configured to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the vehicle frame to the protection element.
7. 7 . The protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the top plate comprises an upper plate and a lower plate in a stacked arrangement, and wherein the lip is formed by the lower plate.
8. 8 . The protection arrangement of claim 7 , wherein the lower plate comprises an edge portion which is recessed in relation to the plane of the lower plate, thereby forming the lip as a gap between the lower plate and the upper plate.
9. 9 . The protection arrangement of claim 7 , wherein both the upper plate and the lower plate is made from plastic.
10. 10 . The protection arrangement of claim 9 , wherein the lower plate is made from glass fiber reinforced plastic.
11. 11 . The protection arrangement of claim 7 , wherein the fastening arrangement is attached to the lower plate.
12. 12 . The protection arrangement of claim 7 , wherein the upper plate is welded to the lower plate.
13. 13 . The protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the resilient member is U-shaped and arranged to have an opening of eh U-shape facing the lip, so that the lip is gripped by the resilient member when inserted into the elongate opening of the bracket.
14. 14 . The protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the resilient member is made from a rubber material configured to absorb noise and/or torsion.
15. 15 . The protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is a metal bracket.
16. 16 . The protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the cover lid is configured to be manually attached to the protection arrangement without the use of tools.
17. 17 . The protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the fastening arrangement comprises a plurality of openings configured to receive fasteners, allowing the fastening arrangement to be attached to different configurations of a vehicle frame.
18. 18 . The protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the elongate opening and the resilient member is configured to accommodate variations in manufacturing tolerances.
19. 19 . A vehicle comprising: a vehicle frame; an energy storage system; and the protection arrangement of claim 1 connected to the vehicle frame and arranged to cover the energy storage system.
20. 20 . The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the top plate is configured to be attached to a chassis faring structure of the vehicle frame.

Description

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 24211230.8, filed on November 6, 2024, and entitled “BATTERY PROTECTION ARRANGEMENT,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The disclosure relates generally to a battery protection arrangement. In particular aspects, the disclosure relates to battery protection arrangement in the form of a top cover plate also acting as a deck plate. The disclosure can be applied to heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses, construction equipment, and other vehicles or machines using deck plates. Although the disclosure may be described with respect to a particular vehicle, the disclosure is not restricted to any particular vehicle. BACKGROUND Electric vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles, rely heavily on energy storage systems (ESS) to provide power for propulsion and other operational functions. As these systems typically consist of high-capacity battery packs, they require effective protection from external elements, physical damage, and operational stress. Mounting these energy storage systems securely to the vehicle frame is a crucial aspect of vehicle design, ensuring that they remain stable and functional during driving conditions, including exposure to vibrations, shocks, and torsional forces generated by the vehicle’s movement. In addition to structural considerations, safety regulations and industry standards impose strict requirements on the design and integration of ESS protection systems, including managing vibrations to prevent damage to sensitive battery components, minimizing the risk of electrical failure, and ensuring the longevity of the system under varying conditions. Protection systems must also be designed to allow for easy maintenance and accessibility, especially in production environments where rapid assembly and disassembly are essential for efficient manufacturing processes. While various solutions exist to mount and protect energy storage systems, many currently available designs face limitations in balancing ease of assembly, vibration management, and aesthetic integration. These challenges may become particularly acute in larger vehicles, where multiple battery packs and configurations must be accommodated. As a result, there remains a need for improved protection systems that not only provide robust protection but also align with structural, technical, and design requirements. SUMMARY According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a protection arrangement for an electric vehicle energy storage system, the protection arrangement comprising: a bracket, attachable to a frame of the vehicle, the bracket having an elongate opening; a resilient member arranged in the elongate opening of the bracket; and a protection element comprising a top plate and a lip arranged at an edge of and below a surface plane of the top plate, the lip being configured to slot into the elongate opening of the bracket so that the resilient member is located between the lip and the bracket to absorb vibrations between the protection element and the bracket. A technical benefit of the described protection arrangement may include that the resilient member, positioned between the lip of the protection element and the bracket, effectively absorbs vibrations transmitted from the vehicle frame, thereby reducing impact on the energy storage system and improving its durability and operational reliability. The claimed protection arrangement also allows for a secure and stable attachment of the protection element to the vehicle frame through the lip-slot connection, ensuring consistent performance during vehicle operation. Additionally, the straightforward design enables efficient assembly, enhancing manufacturing efficiency while providing strong protection for the energy storage system. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the protection arrangement comprises a fastening arrangement arranged at an opposite edge of the top plate from the lip and configured to attach the top plate to the vehicle frame. A technical benefit may include improved structural stability by securing the protection element at multiple points, thereby reducing movement and ensuring the element remains firmly attached to the vehicle frame during operation. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the protection arrangement further comprises a cover lid arranged to cover the fastening arrangement such that the fastening arrangement is concealed. A technical benefit may include enhanced aesthetics and protection of the fastening elements from environmental exposure, such as moisture and dirt, which may increase the longevity of the fasteners and reduce maintenance requirements. Optionally in some examples, including in at least one preferred example, the fastening arrangement comprises at least one opening, the at least one opening bein