Study on the Crashworthiness of a Battery Frame Design for an Electric Vehicle Using FEM

This paper presents an optimized method for evaluating and enhancing the crashworthiness of an electric vehicle (EV) battery frame, leveraging finite element model (FEM) simulations with minimal computational effort. The study begins by utilizing a publicly available LS-DYNA model of a conventional...

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Main Authors: Adrian Daniel Muresanu, Mircea Cristian Dudescu, David Tica
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:World Electric Vehicle Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2032-6653/15/11/534
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author Adrian Daniel Muresanu
Mircea Cristian Dudescu
David Tica
author_facet Adrian Daniel Muresanu
Mircea Cristian Dudescu
David Tica
author_sort Adrian Daniel Muresanu
collection DOAJ
description This paper presents an optimized method for evaluating and enhancing the crashworthiness of an electric vehicle (EV) battery frame, leveraging finite element model (FEM) simulations with minimal computational effort. The study begins by utilizing a publicly available LS-DYNA model of a conventional Toyota Camry, simplifying it to include only the structures relevant to a side pole crash scenario. The crash simulations adhere to FMVSS214 and UNR135 standards, while also extending to higher speeds of 45 km/h to evaluate performance under more severe conditions. A dummy frame with virtual mass is integrated into the model to approximate the realistic center of gravity (COG) of an EV and to facilitate visualization. Based on the side pole crash results, critical parameters are extracted to inform the development of load cases for the EV battery. The proposed battery frame, constructed from aluminum, houses a representative volume of battery cells. These cells are defined through a homogenization process derived from individual and pack of cell crash tests. The crashworthiness of the battery frame is assessed by measuring the overall intrusion along the Y-axis and the specific intrusion into the representative volume. This method not only highlights the challenges of adapting conventional vehicle platforms for EVs or for dual compatibility with both conventional and electric powertrains but also provides a framework for developing and testing battery frames independently. By creating relevant load cases derived from full vehicle crash data, this approach enables battery frames to be optimized and evaluated as standalone components, offering a method for efficient and adaptable battery frame development. This approach provides a streamlined yet effective process for optimizing the crash performance of EV battery systems within existing vehicle platforms.
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spelling doaj-art-673d25d2ff5c42a69db4d469293ea31c2025-08-20T02:48:07ZengMDPI AGWorld Electric Vehicle Journal2032-66532024-11-01151153410.3390/wevj15110534Study on the Crashworthiness of a Battery Frame Design for an Electric Vehicle Using FEMAdrian Daniel Muresanu0Mircea Cristian Dudescu1David Tica2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Automotive, Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103-105 Muncii Boulevard, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Automotive, Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103-105 Muncii Boulevard, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Automotive, Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103-105 Muncii Boulevard, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaThis paper presents an optimized method for evaluating and enhancing the crashworthiness of an electric vehicle (EV) battery frame, leveraging finite element model (FEM) simulations with minimal computational effort. The study begins by utilizing a publicly available LS-DYNA model of a conventional Toyota Camry, simplifying it to include only the structures relevant to a side pole crash scenario. The crash simulations adhere to FMVSS214 and UNR135 standards, while also extending to higher speeds of 45 km/h to evaluate performance under more severe conditions. A dummy frame with virtual mass is integrated into the model to approximate the realistic center of gravity (COG) of an EV and to facilitate visualization. Based on the side pole crash results, critical parameters are extracted to inform the development of load cases for the EV battery. The proposed battery frame, constructed from aluminum, houses a representative volume of battery cells. These cells are defined through a homogenization process derived from individual and pack of cell crash tests. The crashworthiness of the battery frame is assessed by measuring the overall intrusion along the Y-axis and the specific intrusion into the representative volume. This method not only highlights the challenges of adapting conventional vehicle platforms for EVs or for dual compatibility with both conventional and electric powertrains but also provides a framework for developing and testing battery frames independently. By creating relevant load cases derived from full vehicle crash data, this approach enables battery frames to be optimized and evaluated as standalone components, offering a method for efficient and adaptable battery frame development. This approach provides a streamlined yet effective process for optimizing the crash performance of EV battery systems within existing vehicle platforms.https://www.mdpi.com/2032-6653/15/11/534Li-ion batterycrashworthinesselectric vehiclesFEM modelsdynamic simulation
spellingShingle Adrian Daniel Muresanu
Mircea Cristian Dudescu
David Tica
Study on the Crashworthiness of a Battery Frame Design for an Electric Vehicle Using FEM
World Electric Vehicle Journal
Li-ion battery
crashworthiness
electric vehicles
FEM models
dynamic simulation
title Study on the Crashworthiness of a Battery Frame Design for an Electric Vehicle Using FEM
title_full Study on the Crashworthiness of a Battery Frame Design for an Electric Vehicle Using FEM
title_fullStr Study on the Crashworthiness of a Battery Frame Design for an Electric Vehicle Using FEM
title_full_unstemmed Study on the Crashworthiness of a Battery Frame Design for an Electric Vehicle Using FEM
title_short Study on the Crashworthiness of a Battery Frame Design for an Electric Vehicle Using FEM
title_sort study on the crashworthiness of a battery frame design for an electric vehicle using fem
topic Li-ion battery
crashworthiness
electric vehicles
FEM models
dynamic simulation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2032-6653/15/11/534
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AT mirceacristiandudescu studyonthecrashworthinessofabatteryframedesignforanelectricvehicleusingfem
AT davidtica studyonthecrashworthinessofabatteryframedesignforanelectricvehicleusingfem