This patent describes a method of integrating a battery into a vehicle body on a frame platform. It is similar to a skateboard chassis and is common in all electric vehicles. The battery is installed at the bottom of the floor. In Ford's application, the cross beam is installed between the left and right frame beams. These beams provide different battery boxes and are additionally supported by metal plates. There are several highlights worth noting.
Many electric vehicle chassis batteries are bulky and have many cells, and the large cells are placed in the center between the axles. The practice of beam allows the battery to be placed in independent areas between frames. Ford said in the abstract that "multiple storage modules are arranged in multiple carriages",
This is beneficial to weight distribution, manufacturing difficulty and NVH reduction.
In addition, the traditional method of placing a single heavy-duty battery pack on the floor will cause shear stress to the vehicle structure. In Ford's patent, the function of the cross beam is not only to contain the battery, but also to provide reinforcement for the longitudinal beam of the frame, which helps to make the structure stronger.
According to the patent, "each beam is welded to the left frame beam, the right frame beam and the plate. Steel plates are welded to the left and right side frame longitudinal beams. " This makes the frame rail (made of steel or aluminum) thinner and lighter.
The number of batteries, including the cross beam, is determined by the length of the frame longitudinal beam. This means that longer trucks can have more power and cruising range. Is Ford already considering applying this method to heavy pickup trucks?
Ford pointed out that a single motor can be installed in the frame to form a "forward or backward power storage unit", but the potential second drive motor has been mentioned countless times. An apparatus for supplying power to each wheel individually using a respective motor is also described.
Interestingly, all this is similar and different from what Rivian, Ford's $500 million electric car startup, showed. The chassis of the Riviera is also the frame on the car body.
But a more traditional large battery pack is used instead of the method of splitting the beam structure described here. However, the Riviera said that its vehicles will provide separate motors for each wheel.
Perhaps these brands are enjoying intellectual property rights, and everything may change when their electric trucks are put into production. There is no doubt that they are launching a release date competition with Tesla electric pickup trucks. It can be said that no matter what Ford does to the electric F- 150, it will be different from any pickup truck and will always be worthy of the blue oval logo.
——Via Alex Leanse
This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.