Structural Evaluation and Improvement of Mobile Vehicle Battery Storage Architecture

Environmental concerns are prompting the global mobility sector to transition towards electrification. Increased research and development in the field of electric vehicles have made them an increasingly efficient and compelling option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the sustainability of freight transport. Electric vehicles require batteries that offer long range, shorter charging times and high energy efficiency. During long-distance travel, for customer convenience, mobile charging stations have become a trending and highly meaningful solution. For such mobile charging stations, it is essential to ensure the durability and safety parameters of the battery and its structure. For this to happen, it is mandatory that the system possess the strength and stiffness behavior to withstand the various dynamic loads arising from the environment and acting on the vehicle and system. Moreover, the system should maintain a weight that is as low as possible so that it is both efficient and economically viable. This technical paper explores the structural design considerations, such as ease of assembly and dis-assembly for maintenance. It is also important to ensure the design is easily manufacturable in large scale at the lowest possible cost. Further, materials are chosen such that they provide a high strength-to-weight ratio and high stiffness-to weight ratio. Various material options, such as steel and composites, are carefully considered. This in turn, will enhance the overall efficiency of the vehicle. The design was analyzed using finite element analysis for its strength and stiffness characteristics. By addressing these challenges, a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective battery support structure was successfully developed.