Hybrid solutions for EV battery protection structures to be presented at BEVA Europe 2018

At the upcoming 2018 European Electric Vehicle Architecture Conference in London on December 5-6, Henkel and RLE International will present a new approach to protecting the battery cells of next-generation electric vehicles. Faced with the challenges of EV battery protection, Henkel and RLE International have investigated and validated the role of hybrid structural solutions versus conventional designs for EV battery protection. The study included full simulations of optimized panels and other components in standard vehicle side, front and rear impact scenarios. At the same time, it revealed a significant lightweighting potential to compensate for the added weight of the EV battery part.

Henkel will introduce the concept at a BEVA presentation titled “Battery Protection Systems for Lightweight Architecture Concepts” with David Carlo, Henkel’s global head of automotive engineering in Germany, and David Irwin, head of RLE engineering, scheduled for 12:15 p.m. on the first day.

The presentation explains the incorporation of hybrid structural inserts and the use of adhesives to achieve significant weight savings, fundamental changes to light metal materials, and topology optimization. The project also emphasizes the synergy between material science and engineering expertise to drive competitive lightweight structural design and advanced mobility concepts. The hybrid design concept uses high-performance structural foams, which were developed and optimized under the Mobility Alliance, a collaboration between Henkel and RLE.

(Original text from: Renewable Energy Magazine New Energy Network Comprehensive)