Darmstadt – Vibracoustic, a leading global automotive noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) expert, has developed a battery pack isolation system for body-on-frame vehicles like pick-ups and off-road, large SUVs and light commercial vehicles. The solution addresses some of the prevailing challenges of heavy battery packs in these vehicle classes.
As the electrification of the global vehicle fleet continues, OEMs are expanding the integration of battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology to new vehicle classes and platforms. Unlike most existing unibody BEVs, larger vehicles like pick-ups and commercial vehicles tend to use body-on-frame (body-on-chassis) designs, which introduces significant challenges regarding safe and durable battery pack integration.
The battery is often the most expensive component of these larger BEVs, and protecting it from unwanted loads and vibrations is a critical NVH objective. One of the primary concerns with body-on-frame vehicles is the torsional bending forces within the vehicle chassis. While this can deliver advantages for things like manufacturing simplicity and offroad performance, a battery pack that is rigidly mounted can be subject to potentially damaging torsional loads. Beyond the safety implications, there are also passenger comfort considerations that necessitate a well-engineered isolation solution.
Using its ‘whole vehicle’ and systems-based approach to NVH performance, Vibracoustic uses multiple mounts comprised of a stamped steel housing, elastomer dampers, and an extruded aluminum core. Each unit has been designed for peak loads – like those experienced during a pothole impact – of 50-60kN. For larger battery packs, the number of mounting points can be increased to optimize NVH performance and battery pack durability. The current design can cope with all standard battery packs, normally weighing between 500 to 800 kilograms.
The system has already succeeded in OEM hybrid applications and is now available globally for manufacturers looking to electrify larger body-on-frame vehicles. It comes at a crucial time, with growing demand for electrified pick-ups in North America and increasing global demand for zero-emission SUVs and light commercial vehicles.
