Patent Description:
In general, material handling vehicles may include a battery. The battery may be a lithium-ion battery and may be housed in a battery compartment. The compartment may have a cover to protect the battery from environmental factors. Examples of prior art are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present invention relates generally to a battery panel assembly according claim <NUM> and to a material handling vehicle comprising such battery panel assembly according claim <NUM> to enclose a compartment on the material handling vehicle to protect a battery from environmental factors. Additionally, the present invention relates to battery enclosure systems that can add counterweight to the material handling vehicle.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a battery panel assembly for a material handling vehicle having a battery assembly. The battery panel assembly includes an inner counterweight panel configured to couple to the battery assembly. The inner panel including a battery service cutout. The battery panel assembly further includes an outer panel configured to couple to the inner panel. The outer panel includes a cutout configured to align with the battery service cutout, and an access door dimensioned to cover the cutout.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a battery panel assembly for a material handling vehicle having a battery compartment with a battery assembly. The battery compartment includes a left side and a right side. The battery panel assembly includes a right inner panel configured to couple to the right side of the battery compartment and a right outer panel configured to couple to the right inner panel. The right inner panel includes a first battery access cutout. The right outer panel includes a first opening in alignment with the first cutout and an access door dimensioned to cover the first opening. The battery panel assembly further includes a left inner panel configured to couple to the left side of the battery compartment and a left outer panel configured to couple to the left inner panel. The left inner panel includes a second battery access cutout. The left outer panel includes a second opening in alignment with the second battery access cutout and an access panel configured to cover the second opening.

The present disclosure provides also a method for adding counterweight to a battery assembly on a material handling vehicle. The method includes coupling a first inner panel to a first side of the battery assembly, thereby adding counterweight to the battery assembly, and coupling a first outer panel to the first inner panel to enclose the battery assembly.

The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration a preferred configuration of the invention. Such configuration does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, however, and reference is made therefore to the appended claims for interpreting the scope of the invention.

Before any aspect of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The present invention is capable of other configurations and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

Also as used herein, unless otherwise specified or limited, directional terms are presented only with regard to the particular embodiment and perspective described. For example, reference to features or directions as "horizontal," "vertical," "front," "rear," "left," "right," and so on are generally made with reference to a particular figure or example and are not necessarily indicative of an absolute orientation or direction. However, relative directional terms for a particular embodiment may generally apply to alternative orientations of that embodiment. For example, "front" and "rear" directions or features (or "right" and "left" directions or features, and so on) may be generally understood to indicate relatively opposite directions or features.

Also as used herein, ordinal numbers are used for convenience of presentation only and are generally presented in an order that corresponds to the order in which particular features are introduced in the relevant discussion. Accordingly, for example, a "first" feature may not necessarily have any required structural or sequential relationship to a "second" feature, and so on. Further, similar features may be referred to in different portions of the discussion by different ordinal numbers. For example, a particular feature may be referred to in some discussion as a "first" feature, while a similar or substantially identical feature may be referred to in other discussion as a "third" feature, and so on.

Generally, the present disclosure provides a battery panel assembly including a right battery panel assembly and a left battery panel assembly configured for a material handling vehicle. The right battery panel assembly and the left battery panel assembly may enclose a battery compartment on the material handling vehicle and protect a battery within the battery compartment from environmental factors. In one non-limiting example, the battery may be a lithium-ion battery. Additionally, the battery panel assembly may act as a vehicle counterweight while providing for installation and alignment of a multi-layered cover over a battery compartment opening.

A battery panel assembly according to the present disclosure may include a first or right assembly and a second or left assembly. <FIG> illustrates one non-limiting example of a first or right battery panel assembly <NUM> according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The right battery panel assembly <NUM> may be configured to engage one side (e.g., a right side) of a battery compartment <NUM> on a material handling vehicle <NUM>. The battery compartment <NUM> may house a battery assembly <NUM> and counterweight assembly <NUM>. The right battery panel assembly <NUM> may include a right inner panel <NUM> and a right outer panel <NUM>. When assembled, the right battery panel assembly <NUM> may be configured to cover a right opening <NUM> of the battery compartment <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, the right inner panel <NUM> may be configured to be removably coupled to the battery assembly <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the right inner panel <NUM> may be coupled to any combination of the battery compartment <NUM>, material handling vehicle <NUM>, or the counterweight assembly <NUM>. The right outer panel <NUM> may be removably coupled to the right inner panel <NUM>. Similar to the right inner panel <NUM>, the right outer panel <NUM> may be additionally or alternatively coupled to any combination of the battery compartment <NUM>, material handling vehicle <NUM>, the battery assembly <NUM>, or the counterweight assembly <NUM>. In another non-limiting example, the right battery panel assembly <NUM> may include a single panel, however other configurations are possible. For example, the right battery panel assembly <NUM> may include more than two panels.

The right inner panel <NUM> of the right battery panel assembly <NUM> can include a top portion <NUM> and a bottom portion <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> of the right inner panel <NUM> may include at least one keyhole slot <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the top portion <NUM> of the right inner panel <NUM> may include a pair of keyhole slots <NUM> that are laterally separated from one another. Each of the keyhole slots <NUM> may be configured to receive a fastener <NUM>, which can be a screw, pin, rod, or any other suitable type of mounting hardware. In another non-limiting example, the right inner panel <NUM> may include more or less than two of keyhole slots <NUM> on the top portion <NUM> and/or the bottom portion <NUM>, which may be configured to receive a corresponding number of fasteners. The plurality of keyhole slots <NUM>, for example, may be configured to engage a protrusion, which facilitates securing and aligning the right inner panel <NUM> to the material handling vehicle <NUM> or the battery assembly <NUM>.

The top portion <NUM> of the right inner panel <NUM> may include one or more fastening apertures <NUM> and a battery service cutout <NUM> dimensioned to allow a charger (not shown) to access a battery mounted charging connector <NUM> on the battery assembly <NUM>, when the right battery panel assembly <NUM> is assembled and covering the right opening <NUM> of the battery compartment <NUM>. In another non-limiting example, the battery service cutout <NUM> may include a removable cover. The removable cover, for example, may be removably coupled or hingedly connected to the right inner panel <NUM> to provide access to the battery mounted charging connector <NUM>.

The bottom portion <NUM> of the right inner panel <NUM> may include an inner panel inspection hole <NUM> dimensioned to provide visual access to a battery retaining pin <NUM> to see that the battery assembly <NUM> has been secured to the counterweight assembly <NUM>. The battery retaining pin <NUM> may be inserted through holes in the counterweight assembly <NUM> and the battery assembly <NUM>, and may be retained by a pin. The bottom portion <NUM> of the right inner panel <NUM> may further include one or more clearance holes <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the bottom portion <NUM> includes two clearance holes <NUM> that are laterally separated from one another. Each of the clearance holes <NUM> may be configured to receive a fastener <NUM>, which can be a screw, pin, rod, or any other suitable type of mounting hardware. In another non-limiting example, the right inner panel <NUM> may include a plurality of clearance holes in the top portion <NUM> and/or the bottom portion <NUM> each configured to receive a fastener.

According to the invention, the right inner panel <NUM> includes a notch <NUM> that facilitates lifting and removal of the right inner panel <NUM> from the material handling vehicle <NUM>. In some applications, the notch <NUM> may provide access to a remote grease fitting (not shown) on the material handling vehicle <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example of <FIG>, the notch <NUM> may be arranged along a bottom surface or edge of the bottom portion <NUM> of the right inner panel <NUM>, however, other configurations are possible. For example, the notch <NUM> may be on any of the sides of the right inner panel <NUM> or may be a through hole on a surface of the right inner panel <NUM>.

The right outer panel <NUM> of the right battery panel assembly <NUM> may include a top portion <NUM>, a bottom portion <NUM>, and a right edge <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> of the right outer panel <NUM> may include at least one clearance hole <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the top portion <NUM> of the right outer panel <NUM> includes two clearance holes <NUM> that are laterally separated from one another. Each of the clearance holes <NUM> may be configured to receive a fastener <NUM>, which can be a screw, pin, rod, or any other suitable type of mounting hardware. In another non-limiting example, the right outer panel <NUM> may include a plurality of clearance holes in the top portion <NUM> and/or the bottom portion <NUM> each configured to receive a fastener. Further, the top portion <NUM> may include a charge connector access door <NUM>. The charge connector access door <NUM> may be hingedly connected or removably coupled to the right outer panel <NUM>. The charge connector access door <NUM> may cover a cutout <NUM> dimensioned to allow the charger to access the battery mounted charging connector <NUM> on the battery assembly <NUM> when the right battery panel assembly <NUM> is fully assembled and covering the right opening <NUM> of the battery compartment <NUM>. In other words, the cutout <NUM> is configured to align with the battery service cutout <NUM>.

The bottom portion <NUM> of the right outer panel <NUM> may include at least one keyhole <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the bottom portion <NUM> of the right outer panel <NUM> may include two keyholes <NUM> that are laterally separated from one another. Each of the keyholes <NUM> may be configured to receive a fastener <NUM>, which can be a screw, pin, rod, or any other suitable type of mounting hardware. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the keyholes <NUM> may be configured to engage the fasteners <NUM>, which are configured as a protrusion from the right inner panel <NUM>. In another non-limiting example, the right outer panel <NUM> may include a plurality of keyhole slots on the top portion <NUM> and/or the bottom portion <NUM> each configured to receive a fastener.

The bottom portion <NUM> of the right outer panel <NUM> may further include a lifting hole <NUM> that may facilitate the installation and removal of the right outer panel <NUM> to the material handling vehicle <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example of <FIG>, the lifting hole <NUM> may be substantially centered in the bottom portion <NUM> of the right outer panel <NUM>, however, other configurations are possible. For example, the lifting hole <NUM> may be located at various locations along the top portion <NUM> or the bottom portion <NUM> of the right outer panel <NUM>. The lifting hole <NUM> may alternatively be configured as a notch similar to notch <NUM> in the right inner panel <NUM>. In some applications, the lifting hole <NUM> may provide access to a remote grease fitting (not shown) on the material handling vehicle <NUM>.

The bottom portion <NUM> of the right outer panel <NUM> may further include an outer panel inspection hole <NUM> that aligns with the inspection hole <NUM> on the right inner panel <NUM>, which may provide visual access to the battery retaining pin <NUM> to see that the battery assembly <NUM> has been secured to the counterweight assembly <NUM>.

The right edge <NUM> of the right outer panel <NUM> may include a sensor target bracket <NUM>. The sensor target bracket <NUM> may be used to verify that the right battery panel assembly <NUM> has been installed before operation of the material handling vehicle <NUM>. The sensor target bracket <NUM> may be detected by a sensor on the material handling vehicle <NUM>. In other non-limiting examples, the sensor target bracket <NUM> may be located on any of the sides of the right outer panel <NUM>.

To assemble the first or right battery panel assembly <NUM>, the right inner panel <NUM> is coupled to one side of the battery assembly <NUM>. For example, the right inner panel <NUM> may be installed onto one side of the battery assembly <NUM>, such that the fasteners <NUM> extend through the keyhole slots <NUM>. With the fasteners <NUM> installed within the keyhole slots <NUM>, the right inner panel <NUM> may be supported on the side of the battery assembly <NUM>. The fasteners <NUM> may then be inserted through the clearance holes <NUM> and be fastened to, for example, a threaded aperture on the side of the battery assembly <NUM> to fasten the right inner panel <NUM> to the battery assembly <NUM>.

With the right inner panel <NUM> installed onto the battery assembly <NUM>, the right outer panel <NUM> may be installed onto the right inner panel <NUM>, thereby covering the right opening <NUM> and substantially enclosing the side of the battery assembly <NUM>. For example, the right outer panel <NUM> may be installed onto the right inner panel <NUM>, such that the fasteners <NUM> extend through the keyholes <NUM>. With the fasteners <NUM> installed within the keyholes <NUM>, the right outer panel <NUM> may be supported on the right inner panel <NUM>. The fasteners <NUM> may then be inserted through the clearance holes <NUM> and be fastened to the fastening apertures <NUM> on the right inner panel <NUM> to fasten the right outer panel <NUM> to the right inner panel <NUM>.

During assembly, the notch <NUM> and the lifting hole <NUM> may be used to support the right inner panel <NUM> and the right outer panel <NUM>, respectively. For example, a crane, a lift, a jack, or another form of support may be coupled to the notch <NUM> and the lifting hole <NUM> during assembly.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the first or right battery panel assembly <NUM> is installed onto the battery assembly <NUM>, the right outer panel <NUM> is generally received within the right opening <NUM> to enclose the battery assembly <NUM>. In general, the right inner panel <NUM> may weigh more than the right outer panel <NUM>, for example, due to the right inner panel <NUM> being fabricated from a material with a higher density. Accoring to the invention, the right inner panel <NUM> serves as an additional counterweight. In one non-limiting example, the right inner panel <NUM> may be fabricated from a steel material, however, other materials are possible. For example, the right inner panel <NUM> may be fabricated from ductile iron. The weight of the right inner panel <NUM> may be varied by adding or removing material to the right inner panel <NUM> to add weight to the material handling vehicle <NUM>. The right inner panel <NUM> may also provide additional protection to the battery assembly <NUM>.

In one non-limiting example, the right outer panel <NUM> may be fabricated from a steel material, however, other configurations are possible. For example, the right outer panel <NUM> may be fabricated from a relatively lighter weight material such as aluminum or plastic. The right outer panel <NUM> may provide the battery compartment <NUM> with additional protection for the battery assembly <NUM> of the material handling vehicle <NUM>. In addition, the right outer panel <NUM> may selectively provide access to components of the battery assembly <NUM>, as needed. For example, the access door <NUM> may be manipulated to selectively provide access to the battery mounted charging connector <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a non-limiting example of a second or left battery panel assembly <NUM> according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The left battery panel assembly <NUM> is configured to engage one side (e.g., a left side) of the battery compartment <NUM> on the material handling vehicle <NUM>. The left battery panel assembly <NUM> may include a second or left inner panel <NUM> and a second or left outer panel <NUM>. The left battery panel assembly <NUM> may be configured to cover a second left opening <NUM> of a battery compartment <NUM> on a material handling vehicle <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the left inner panel <NUM> may be configured to be removably coupled to the battery assembly <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the left inner panel <NUM> may be coupled to any combination of the battery compartment <NUM>, material handling vehicle <NUM>, or the counterweight assembly <NUM>. The left outer panel <NUM> may be removably coupled to the left inner panel <NUM>. Similar to the left inner panel <NUM>, the left outer panel <NUM> may be additionally or alternatively coupled to any combination of the battery compartment <NUM>, material handling vehicle <NUM>, the battery assembly <NUM>, or the counterweight assembly <NUM>. In another non-limiting example, the left battery panel assembly <NUM> may include a single panel, however other configurations are possible. For example, the left battery panel assembly <NUM> may include more than two panels.

The left inner panel <NUM> of the left battery panel assembly <NUM> can include a top portion <NUM> and a bottom portion <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> of the left inner panel <NUM> may include at least one keyhole slot <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the top portion <NUM> of the left inner panel <NUM> may include a pair of keyhole slots <NUM> that are laterally separated from one another. Each of the keyhole slot <NUM> may be configured to receive a fastener <NUM>, which can be a screw, pin, rod, or any other suitable type of mounting hardware. In another non-limiting example, the left inner panel <NUM> may include a more or less than two keyhole slots <NUM> on the top portion <NUM> and/or the bottom portion <NUM>, which may be configured to receive a corresponding number of fasteners. The plurality of keyhole slots <NUM>, for example, may be configured to engage a protrusion that facilitates securing and aligning the left inner panel <NUM> to the material handling vehicle <NUM> or the battery assembly <NUM>.

The top portion <NUM> of the left inner panel <NUM> may include one or more fastening apertures <NUM> arranged laterally outwardly relative to the keyhole slots <NUM> and a battery service cutout <NUM>. The battery service cutout <NUM> may be dimensioned to allow access to a display <NUM> and service ports <NUM> on the battery assembly <NUM>, when the left battery panel assembly <NUM> is fully assembled and covering the left opening <NUM> of the battery compartment <NUM>. In another non-limiting example, the battery service cutout <NUM> may include a removable cover. The removable cover, for example, may be removably coupled or hingedly connected to the left inner panel <NUM> to provide access to the display <NUM> and service ports <NUM> on the battery assembly <NUM>.

The bottom portion <NUM> of the left inner panel <NUM> may include an inner panel inspection hole (not shown) dimensioned to allow a battery retaining pin (not shown) to pass through. The bottom portion <NUM> of the left inner panel <NUM> may further include at least one clearance hole <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the bottom portion <NUM> includes two clearance holes <NUM> that are laterally separated from one another. Each of the clearance hole <NUM> may be configured to receive a fastener <NUM>, which can be a screw, pin, rod, or any other suitable type of mounting hardware. In another non-limiting example, the left inner panel <NUM> may include a plurality of clearance holes in the top portion <NUM> and/or the bottom portion <NUM> each configured to receive a fastener.

According to the invention, the left inner panel <NUM> includes a notch <NUM> that facilitates lifting and removal of the left inner panel <NUM> from the material handling vehicle <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example of <FIG>, the notch <NUM> may be arranged along a bottom surface or edge of the bottom portion <NUM> of the left inner panel <NUM>, however, other configurations are possible. For example, the notch <NUM> may be on any of the sides of the left inner panel <NUM> or may be a through hole on a surface of the left inner panel <NUM>.

The left outer panel <NUM> of the left battery panel assembly <NUM> may include a top portion <NUM>, a bottom portion <NUM>, and a left edge <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> of the left outer panel <NUM> may include at least one clearance hole <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the top portion <NUM> of the left outer panel <NUM> includes two clearance holes <NUM> that are laterally separated from one another. Each of the clearance holes <NUM> may be configured to receive a fastener <NUM>, which can be a screw, pin, rod, or any other suitable type of mounting hardware. In another non-limiting example, the left outer panel <NUM> may include a plurality of clearance holes in the top portion <NUM> and/or the bottom portion <NUM> each configured to receive a fastener.

The top portion <NUM> may include an access panel <NUM>. The access panel <NUM> may have at least one mounting hole <NUM> to receive at least one fastener <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the access panel <NUM> includes two mounting holes <NUM> that are laterally separated from one another and each configured to receive a fastener <NUM>. The access panel <NUM> may be removably coupled to the left outer panel <NUM> via the fasteners <NUM>. The access panel <NUM> may cover a cutout <NUM> on the top portion <NUM>. The cutout <NUM> may be configured to selectively provide access to the display <NUM> and the service ports <NUM> on the battery assembly <NUM>, when the left battery panel assembly <NUM> is fully assembled. In other words, the cutout <NUM> is configured to align with the battery service cutout <NUM> and may be selectively removed from the left outer panel <NUM>. In another non-limiting example, the access panel <NUM> may be hingedly or slidably coupled to the left outer panel <NUM>.

The bottom portion <NUM> of the left outer panel <NUM> may include at least one keyhole <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the bottom portion <NUM> of the left outer panel <NUM> may include two keyholes <NUM> that are laterally separated from one another. Each of the keyholes <NUM> may be configured to receive a fastener <NUM>, which can be a screw, pin, rod, or any other suitable type of mounting hardware. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the keyholes <NUM> are configured to engage the fasteners <NUM>, which are configured as a protrusion from the left inner panel <NUM>. In another non-limiting example, the left outer panel <NUM> may include a plurality of keyhole slots on the top portion <NUM> and/or the bottom portion <NUM> each configured to receive a fastener.

The bottom portion <NUM> of the left outer panel <NUM> may further include a lifting hole <NUM> that may facilitate the installation and removal of the left outer panel <NUM> to the material handling vehicle <NUM>. In the illustrated non-limiting example of <FIG>, the lifting hole <NUM> may be substantially centered in the bottom portion <NUM> of the left outer panel <NUM>, however, other configurations are possible. For example, the lifting hole <NUM> may be located at various locations along the top portion <NUM> or the bottom portion <NUM> of the left outer panel <NUM>. The lifting hole <NUM> may alternatively be configured as a notch similar to notch <NUM> in the left inner panel <NUM>.

The left edge <NUM> of the left outer panel <NUM> may include a sensor target bracket <NUM>. The sensor target bracket <NUM> may be used to verify that the left battery panel assembly <NUM> is installed before operation of the material handling vehicle <NUM>. The sensor target bracket <NUM> may be detected by a sensor on the material handling vehicle <NUM>. In other non-limiting examples, the sensor target bracket <NUM> may be located on any of the sides of the left outer panel <NUM>.

To assemble the second or left battery panel assembly <NUM>, the left inner panel <NUM> is coupled to one side of the battery assembly <NUM>. For example, the left inner panel <NUM> may be installed onto one side of the battery assembly <NUM>, such that the fasteners <NUM> extend through the keyhole slots <NUM>. With the fasteners <NUM> installed within the keyhole slots <NUM>, the left inner panel <NUM> may be supported on the side of the battery assembly <NUM>. The fasteners <NUM> may then be inserted through the clearance holes <NUM> and be fastened to, for example, a threaded aperture on the side of the battery assembly <NUM> to fasten the left inner panel <NUM> to the battery assembly <NUM>.

With the left inner panel <NUM> installed onto the battery assembly <NUM>, the left outer panel <NUM> may be installed onto the left inner panel <NUM>, thereby covering the left opening <NUM> and substantially enclosing the side of the battery assembly <NUM>. For example, the left outer panel <NUM> may be installed onto the left inner panel <NUM>, such that the fasteners <NUM> extend through the keyholes <NUM>. With the fasteners <NUM> installed within the keyholes <NUM>, the left outer panel <NUM> may be supported on the left inner panel <NUM>. The fasteners <NUM> may then be inserted through the clearance holes <NUM> and be fastened to the fastening apertures <NUM> on the left inner panel <NUM> to fasten the left outer panel <NUM> to the left inner panel <NUM>.

During assembly, the notch <NUM> and the lifting hole <NUM> may be used to support the left inner panel <NUM> and the left outer panel <NUM>, respectively. For example, a crane, a lift, a jack, or another form of support may be coupled to the notch <NUM> and the lifting hole <NUM> during assembly.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the second or left battery panel assembly <NUM> is installed onto the battery assembly <NUM>, the left outer panel <NUM> is generally received within the left opening <NUM> to enclose the battery assembly <NUM>. In general, the left inner panel <NUM> may weigh more than the left outer panel <NUM>, for example, due to the left inner panel <NUM> being fabricated from a material with a higher density. According to the invention, the left inner panel <NUM> serves as an additional counterweight. In one non-limiting example, the left inner panel <NUM> may be fabricated from a steel material, however, other materials are possible. For example, the left inner panel <NUM> may be fabricated from ductile iron. The weight of the left inner panel <NUM> may be varied by adding or removing material to the left inner panel <NUM> to add weight to the material handling vehicle <NUM>. The left inner panel <NUM> may also provide additional protection to the battery assembly <NUM>.

In one non-limiting example, the left outer panel <NUM> may be fabricated from a steel material, however, other configurations are possible. For example, the left outer panel <NUM> may be fabricated from a relatively lighter weight material such as aluminum or plastic. The left outer panel <NUM> may provide the battery compartment <NUM> with additional protection for the battery assembly <NUM> of the material handling vehicle <NUM>. In addition, the left outer panel <NUM> may selectively provide access to components of the battery assembly <NUM>, as needed. For example, the access panel <NUM> may be selectively removed to provide access to the display <NUM> and the service ports <NUM>.

It is to be appreciated that each of the inner panels and outer panels can be made of various materials. For example, the inner panels can be a casting of steel or ductile iron, as non-limiting examples. The outer panels can be a lighter weight material. For example, the outer panels can be made from aluminum or plastic, as non-limiting examples.

While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front, and the like may be used to describe examples of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.

Claim 1:
A battery panel assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>) for a material handling vehicle (<NUM>) having a battery compartment (<NUM>) with a battery assembly (<NUM>), the battery panel assembly comprising
an inner counterweight panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to couple to the battery assembly (<NUM>), the inner panel including a battery service cutout (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
an outer panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to couple to the inner panel (<NUM>, <NUM>), the outer panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a cutout (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to align with the battery service cutout (<NUM>, <NUM>) and an access door (<NUM>, <NUM>) dimensioned to cover the cutout (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the inner counterweight panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) is coupled to one side of the battery assembly (<NUM>), wherein the inner counterweight panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) serves as an additional counterweight, wherein the inner counterweight panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a notch (<NUM>, <NUM>) or a through hole on the surface of the inner panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) to facilitate lifting and removal of the inner panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) from the material handling vehicle (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the battery panel assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes a second inner counterweight panel and a second outer panel, the second inner counterweight panel being configured to engage the battery compartment (<NUM>) at a second side of the material handling vehicle (<NUM>) and the second outer panel configured to engage the second inner counterweight panel.