TAMPER RESISTANT BATTERY COMPARTMENT

• US 20130285410A1
• Filed: 04/25/2012
• Published: 10/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Riggs, Robert B., Auerbach, Mitchell Edward, Suumeyer, Scott, Flaherty, Matthew Joseph, Imel, Steven W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,770,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/178
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/04 Arrangement of batteries

Abstract

Motor vehicles assembled using a cutaway truck chassis may contain one or more batteries. These batteries may be accessible presenting potential for harm. The tamper resistant compartment for a battery in a passenger vehicle reduces access and visual interest that some may have in the batteries, while simultaneously providing easy access to mechanics. The tamper resistant compartment encompasses a box that is securely mounted to the chassis. The batteries inside the box may be connected to a remote battery stud and a battery shut-off switch. A movable panel integrated to the vehicle body serves as a covering and a door integrated to the movable panel provides access to the remote battery stud and battery shut-off switch.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle comprising:

a chassis;

a body mounted on the chassis; and

a tamper resistant compartment for at least one battery,

wherein the tamper resistant compartment for at least one battery is mounted on the chassis and integrated to the body.

2. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the tamper resistant compartment comprises:

a box;

a plurality of fasteners; and

a movable panel mounted alongside of the box,

where the box is mounted to the chassis and the plurality of fasteners affix the movable panel to the body.

3. The motor vehicle of claim 2, wherein the tamper resistant compartment further comprises:

a cover mounted between the movable panel and the box.

4. The motor vehicle of claim 2, wherein the tamper resistant compartment further comprises:

movable step mounted on the chassis.

5. The motor vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one battery inside the tamper resistant compartment; and

a remote battery stud connected to at least one of the batteries.

6. The motor vehicle of claim 5, wherein the tamper resistant compartment further comprises:

a box for containing at least one of the batteries, the box is mounted to the chassis;

a movable panel mounted alongside the box;

a plurality of fasteners, the plurality of fasteners affix the movable panel to the body; and

a door, wherein the door is integrated to the body in the closed configuration and in the open configuration the door provides access to the remote battery stud.

7. The motor vehicle of claim 5, further comprising:

a battery shut-off switch connected to at least one of the batteries.

8. The motor vehicle of claim 7, wherein the tamper resistant compartment further comprises:

a box for containing at least one of the batteries, the box is mounted to the chassis;

a movable panel mounted alongside the box;

a plurality of fasteners, the fasteners affix and integrate the movable panel to the body; and

a door, wherein the door is integrated to the body in the closed configuration and in the open configuration the door provides access to the remote battery stud and the battery shut-off switch.

9. The motor vehicle of claim 8, wherein the door further comprises of a lockable latch.

10. A tamper resistant compartment for a battery in a motor vehicle having a body comprising:

at least one battery;

a remote battery stud connected to at least one of the batteries;

a battery shut-off switch connected to at least one of the batteries;

a box for containing at least one of the batteries;

a bracket mounted to the box that retains the remote battery stud and the battery shut-off switch;

a cover mounted in the side of the box proximate to the body;

a movable panel mounted alongside the cover;

a movable step mounted in front of the movable panel; and

a door installed adjacent to the movable panel, wherein the door in the open configuration provides access to the remote battery stud and the battery shut-off switch.

11. A passenger bus using a cutaway truck chassis comprising:

a chassis;

a cab body mounted on the chassis; and

a tamper resistant compartment for at least one battery;

where the tamper resistant compartment is mounted on the chassis and integrated to the cab body.

12. The passenger bus of claim 11, wherein the tamper resistant compartment for at least one battery comprises:

a box mounted on the chassis;

a movable panel integrated to the cab body;

a door integrated into the movable panel;

a cover mounted between the box and the movable panel; and

a movable step mounted on the chassis.

13. The passenger bus of claim 12, further comprising:

at least one battery contained in the box;

a remote battery stud connected to at least one of the batteries;

a battery shut-off switch connected to at least one of the batteries; and

a bracket mounted to the box that retains the remote battery stud and the battery shut-off switch;

where the door in the open configuration provides access to the remote stud and the battery shut-off switch.

14. A tamper resistant compartment for a motor vehicle using a cutaway truck chassis comprising:

a chassis;

a cab body mounted on the chassis;

a box mounted on the chassis;

a bracket mounted to the box;

a movable panel integrated to the cab body;

a door integrated to the movable panel;

a cover mounted between the box and the movable panel; and

a movable step mounted on the chassis.

15. The tamper resistant compartment for a motor vehicle of claim 14, further comprising:

at least one battery contained in the box;

at least one remote battery stud connected to at least one of the batteries; and

at least one battery shut-off switch connected to at least one of the batteries, through which the door is hinged to provide access to the remote battery stud and the battery shut-off switch when in the open configuration.