Patent Description:
The invention can be applied in heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses and construction equipment. Although the invention will be described with respect to a truck, the invention is not restricted to this particular vehicle, but may also be used in other vehicles such as passenger cars.

Most trucks today are powered by internal combustion engines. However, there is increasing development of high-voltage traction batteries for replacing internal combustion engines and providing fully electric trucks.

<CIT> discloses a mounting arrangement for mounting a range extender or a battery storage to a vehicle. The mounting arrangement comprises mounting brackets for securing a battery to a cage-like frame. The battery can be placed in the frame which can then be slid along two bracket members. Thus, the cage-like frame functions similarly to a drawer being attached with rails to a chest of drawers. The battery must be lowered into the frame, and then the frame with the battery may be slid into place. When the battery is to be replaced it must be lifted up from the cage-like frame.

It would be desirable to provide a simpler solution for mounting a battery to a vehicle, which would be advantageous both for serial production and for service/aftermarket situations.

<CIT> discloses a loading procedure for quick replacement of vehicle batteries. A vehicle is used which is equipped with a pressure-medium spring suspension which allows a temporary lowering of the chassis of the vehicle. The vehicle is brought into a position determined by notches or depressions in the floor for receiving the vehicle wheels. A wagon with a fixed platform is driven under the battery box under the guidance of the same by means of devices fixed to the floor. The suspension for placing the battery to be replaced on the wagon is relieved of pressure. The wagon loaded with the used battery is driven out. The suspension of the vehicle is acted upon again by the chassis of the vehicle for taking over the load of a new battery from the wagon.

An object of the invention is to provide a system which alleviates the drawbacks of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a system for installation of traction batteries for a vehicle having a chassis comprising at least one load-carrying frame member, in accordance with claim <NUM>. The system comprises:.

By the provision of a system according to the invention, a simple installation of traction batteries is achievable. An operator may simply use a pallet lifter or the like to mount or remove a battery from the system. Notably, contrary to the prior art, according to the present invention, the first and second sliders are attached to the traction battery, and only thereafter will they be brought to mate with the sliding surfaces of the bracket members.

It should be understood that in this disclosure terms such as front and rear, relate to directional configurations of a vehicle. Thus, front is towards the normal driving direction, while rear is towards the direction in which the vehicle is operated when in reverse drive. The cab of a truck, is normally located at the front of the truck.

It should furthermore be understood that directional terms such as upper and lower, etc. are defined with respect to normal operating conditions. For instance, the term "upper" normally denotes something that is located farther from the ground on which a vehicle stands, while the term "lower" will be located closer to the ground. In other words, compared to the term "lower, the term "upper" denotes a vertically higher level relative to the ground.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a receiving structure, wherein the receiving structure comprises said front bracket member, said rear bracket member and a stabilizing element, wherein the front bracket member and the rear bracket member are spaced apart and interconnected by the stabilizing element, wherein the receiving structure is adapted to be secured to a frame member of the vehicle and adapted to receive a traction battery between the front bracket member and the rear bracket member. The provision of a stabilizing element makes the system as such stronger, and allows a more secure holding of the traction battery.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, each one of the front bracket member and the rear bracket member comprises a securing portion for securing the bracket member to a frame member of the vehicle, and at least one arm portion projecting from the securing portion. The arm portions are advantageous in that they provide front/rear limitations to the traction battery, and apart from a guiding function also provides some amount of protection to the traction battery. The stabilizing element may suitably extend between the securing portions of the bracket members. In some exemplary embodiments. The stabilizing element may similarly to the securing portions be used for securing the receiving structure to a frame member of the vehicle. It is also conceivable to have an intermediate securing bracket located between the securing portions of the front and rear bracket members, which intermediate securing bracket may be used for connecting the stabilizing element to a frame member of the vehicle. In some exemplary embodiments the stabilizing element may extend between the arm portions.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, each one of the front bracket member and the rear bracket member comprises two vertically spaced arm portions, namely a lower arm portion and an upper arm portion, both projecting from the securing portion, wherein each one of the lower arm portion and the upper arm portion is provided with said sliding surface. This is advantageous since this allows for more traction batteries to be received, which is further reflected in the following exemplary embodiment.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the lower arm portion of the front bracket member and the lower arm portion of the rear bracket member are adapted to slidingly receive a first traction battery to which said first and second sliders have been connected, the system further comprising a third and a fourth slider, wherein the upper arm portion of the front bracket member and the upper arm portion of the rear bracket member are adapted to slidingly receive a second traction battery to which said third and fourth sliders have been connected. By providing two vertically separated pairs of arms portions, two traction batters may be provided, one above the other. The batteries may easily be mounted, for example by means of a pallet lifter, to the respective pair of arm portions. Each bracket member will thus have a generally U-shaped configuration, wherein the securing portion will form the central base of the U-shape, and the arm portions will form the legs of the U-shape. In any exemplary embodiment the one or more arms of a bracket member may suitably have a substantially horizontal extension, and may suitably project substantially perpendicularly to the frame member to which the bracket member is to be attached (and therefore it may also project substantially perpendicularly to a surface of the securing portion of the bracket member, which surface is configured to mate with the frame member).

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a crash protection structure adapted to be mounted to a free end of the at least one arm portion of each one of the front bracket member and the rear bracket member when a traction battery has been received therebetween, such that the traction battery becomes enclosed by the frame member of the vehicle, the front bracket member, the rear bracket member and the crash protection structure. This is advantageous since it provides extra protection to the traction battery, in particular to lateral impact load.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, each arm portion has a longitudinal extension projecting from the securing portion to its free end, wherein, when the crash protection structure is mounted to the free end of the arm portion, the main extension of the crash protection structure lies in a geometrical plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the arm portion. Similarly to above, this provides extra protection to the traction battery, in particular to lateral impact load.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a protecting bottom plate adapted to be joined to a lower side of a traction battery. This is advantageous since it protects the traction battery from below.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, said protecting bottom plate is adapted to be joined to a lower side of the first traction battery, the system further comprising a horizontal side collision protection plate adapted to be joined to a lower side of the second traction battery. This is advantageous since it provides extra protection in case of a lateral collision. Suitably, in at least some exemplary embodiments, one or both of the protecting bottom plate and the horizontal side collision protection plate may have a bent upwardly extending edge at the side configured to be farthest away from the frame member of the vehicle (and therefore farthest away from the securing portions of the bracket members). Such a bent upwardly extending edge (which may form an L-shaped cross section with the horizontally extending main portion of the plate) may be used for further securing the crash protection structure. For instance, the crash protection structure may be secured by fastening means, such as bolts, rivets, etc. to such a bent upwardly extending edge of said protecting bottom plate and/or said horizontal side collision protection plate.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a bushing, wherein the first slider is adapted to be connected to the front side of the traction battery via said bushing. This is advantageous since it provides a certain degree of resiliency/flexibility.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the system comprises two bushings, wherein said bushing is a first bushing for connecting said first traction battery to the first slider, the system further comprising a second bushing for connecting said second traction battery to said third slider. Similarly to above, this provides a certain degree of resiliency/flexibility.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery arrangement. The battery arrangement comprises a system according to the first aspect (including any embodiments thereof) and a traction battery, wherein said first slider is connected, or is adapted to be connected, to a front side of the traction battery, and wherein said second slider is connected, or is adapted to be connected, to an opposite rear side of the traction battery. The advantages are substantially analogous to those mentioned in connection with the discussion of the first aspect of the invention (including any embodiments thereof).

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a chassis comprising at least one load-carrying frame member, and a system according to the first aspect (including any embodiments thereof) and a battery arrangement according to the second aspect (including any embodiments thereof), wherein the front bracket member is secured to and projects from the frame member, and the rear bracket member is secured to and projects from the frame member, spaced apart from the front bracket member. The advantages are substantially analogous to those mentioned in connection with the discussion of the first and second aspects of the invention (including any embodiments thereof).

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for installation of traction batteries to a vehicle having a chassis comprising at least one load-carrying frame member to which a front bracket member and a rear bracket member are secured to and projects from, the rear bracket member being spaced apart from the front bracket member, for receiving a traction battery between the front bracket member and the rear bracket member, wherein each one of the front bracket member and the rear bracket member comprises a respective sliding surface, the method comprising the steps of:.

By this method, a simple and efficient installation may be made with, for instance, a pallet lifter. There is thus no need to (as in the prior art) carefully lowering and fitting a battery into a cage, before the cage with the battery is pushed into place. Rather, the traction battery may smoothly be placed in the correct location by a substantially horizontal movement. If desired, the surrounding protection offered by a cage, may be achieved by thereafter securing a crash protection structure, as mentioned above in connection with the discussion of the first aspect of the invention. Indeed any features and embodiments of the first, second and third aspects of the invention may suitably be implemented in connection with the method of the fourth aspect of the invention.

For example, according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the method of the fourth aspect, the front bracket member, rear bracket member, first slider and second slider are included in a system according to the first aspect (including any embodiments thereof).

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of a vehicle <NUM> comprising a system <NUM> according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention. Although the vehicle <NUM> is illustrated in the form of a truck, other types of vehicles, such as busses or construction equipment may be used with the inventive system <NUM>.

The truck (vehicle) comprises a cab <NUM> in which a driver may operate the vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> has a chassis comprising at least one load-carrying frame member <NUM>. A longitudinal frame member <NUM> is here illustrated as extending in the direction from rear <NUM> to front <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. Suitably, the vehicle <NUM> may have two or more such frame members extending in parallel.

The inventive system <NUM> comprises a front bracket member <NUM> and a rear bracket member <NUM>, which have been secured to and project from the frame member <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. The front bracket member <NUM> and the rear bracket member <NUM> are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle <NUM>. In other words, the front bracket member <NUM> is, compared to the rear bracket member <NUM>, located closer to the front <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. Conversely, the rear bracket member <NUM> is, compared to the front bracket member <NUM>, located closer to the rear <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>.

A traction battery <NUM> has been received by, and extends between, the front bracket member <NUM> and the rear bracket member <NUM>. The traction battery <NUM> together with the system <NUM> form part of a battery arrangement <NUM>, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Further details of the system <NUM>, its components and their interaction with the traction battery will be discussed in relation to the other drawing figures. It should, however, be noted that although two traction batteries are shown in the other figures, the system <NUM>, the battery arrangement <NUM>, the vehicle <NUM> and the method of the present invention, may likewise be implemented with one traction battery. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, only one traction battery <NUM> is shown, although in other exemplary embodiments (as in the other drawing figures) two (or even more) traction batteries could be used with the present invention. Similarly, it should be noted that although the other drawing figures show front and rear bracket members with vertically spaced upper and lower arm portions, the system <NUM>, the battery arrangement <NUM>, the vehicle <NUM> and the method of the present invention, may have front and rear bracket members with only one arm portion for receiving only one traction battery. For instance, in the exemplary embodiment represented by the schematic illustration in <FIG> the front bracket member <NUM> and the rear bracket member <NUM> may each have a securing portion for securing the bracket member to the frame member <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> and an arm portion projecting from the securing portion. In other exemplary embodiments, the front bracket member <NUM> and the rear bracket member <NUM> may each have two vertically spaced arm portions (or even more) similarly to the other drawing figures.

<FIG> illustrates parts of a system for installation of traction batteries, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention. The system comprises a front bracket member <NUM> and a rear bracket member <NUM>, both of which are adapted to be secured to a frame member <NUM> of a vehicle chassis. In <FIG> the front bracket member <NUM> and the rear bracket member <NUM> are illustrated in a secured state, i.e. they have been firmly fastened to the frame member <NUM>.

The front bracket member <NUM> is spaced apart from the rear bracket member <NUM>, thereby defining a space <NUM> in which a traction battery may be received. The separating distance, i.e. the extension of the space <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, substantially corresponds to the length of a traction battery to be received.

The front bracket member <NUM> and the rear bracket member <NUM> are interconnected by a stabilizing element <NUM>, providing extra strength and rigidity to the system. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the stabilizing element <NUM> may be omitted. These three components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> form part of a receiving structure <NUM>. The receiving structure <NUM> is adapted to (and in <FIG> has been) secured to the frame member <NUM>. Thus, the receiving structure <NUM> is adapted to receive a traction battery between the front bracket member <NUM> and the rear bracket member <NUM>.

Each one of the front bracket member <NUM> and the rear bracket member <NUM> comprises a securing portion <NUM> for securing the bracket to the frame member <NUM> and two arm portions <NUM>, <NUM> projecting from the securing portion <NUM>. However, as mentioned previously, in other exemplary embodiments only one arm portion projects from the securing portion <NUM>.

The two arm portions <NUM>, <NUM> are vertically spaced, presenting a lower arm portion <NUM> and an upper arm portion <NUM>. Both the lower arm portion <NUM> and the upper arm portion <NUM> project away from the securing portion <NUM>. Each arm portion has a sliding surface <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, the sliding surface <NUM> is a top surface of the respective arm portion <NUM>, <NUM>. However, it is conceivable in other embodiments, to have a sliding surface which is not at the top of the arm portion, for instance the sliding surface may be formed on a ledge.

In exemplary embodiments, such as illustrated in <FIG>, the securing portions <NUM> are secured by fastening means, such as bolts, rivets, to the frame member <NUM>. In other embodiments the securing portions <NUM> may be welded to the frame member <NUM>. In some exemplary embodiments, an intermediate securing bracket <NUM> may be connected to the stabilizing element <NUM> (such as illustrated in <FIG>). The intermediate securing bracket <NUM> may, similarly to the securing portions <NUM> be secured to the frame member <NUM>, for instance, by means of fastening means, such as bolts, rivets, etc., or by welding.

<FIG> illustrates further parts of the system and a first traction battery 16a to which the further parts are connectable, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention. <FIG> illustrates the first traction battery 16a after the further parts in <FIG> have been connected to the first traction battery 16a.

<FIG> illustrates a first slider <NUM> adapted to be connected to a front side <NUM> of the traction battery 16a and a second slider <NUM> adapted to be connected to an opposite rear side <NUM> of the traction battery 16a. The first slider <NUM> is configured to be mated with the sliding surface <NUM> of the front bracket member <NUM> in <FIG>, and the second slider <NUM> is configured to be mated with the sliding surface <NUM> of the rear bracket member <NUM> in <FIG>, after the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> have been connected to the first traction battery 16a. The first traction battery 16a is thereby enabled, by means of the connected first slider <NUM> and second slider <NUM>, to be received by the front bracket member <NUM> and the rear bracket member <NUM> and be moved (for instance, slid) towards the frame member <NUM> of the vehicle. It should be understood that although the system comprises sliders <NUM>, <NUM> and sliding surfaces <NUM>, it is not mandatory that the first traction battery 16a is slid into place, as it would be possible to for example lift the first traction battery 16a (with the sliders <NUM>, <NUM> mounted to it) onto the sliding surfaces <NUM> of the front bracket member <NUM> and the rear bracket member <NUM>.

Continuing with <FIG>, the first slider <NUM> is adapted to be connected to the front side <NUM> of the traction battery 16a via a bushing <NUM>, which may for instance include two rubber parts <NUM> and a profiled element <NUM>. The two rubber parts <NUM> and the first slider <NUM> may be connected to each other by screw connections. The profiled element <NUM> may in turn also have a screw connection to the rubber parts <NUM>, and in addition be secured (e.g. by screw connection) to mounting plates <NUM> connected to the traction battery 16a. The mounting plates 54a are here illustrated as located on opposite lateral sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first traction battery 16a. <FIG> further illustrates that the system may comprise a protecting bottom plate <NUM> adapted to be joined to a lower side of the first traction battery 16a via the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM>. The first slider <NUM> has a portion <NUM> which may be screw-connected to the protecting bottom plate <NUM>. Thus, as can be seen in <FIG>, when the first slider <NUM> has been secured to the first traction battery 16a, the first slider <NUM> will at least partly be clamped between the protecting bottom plate <NUM> and the rubber parts <NUM> under the profiled element <NUM>. This will provide a degree of cushioning and resiliency/flexibility to the first slider <NUM>.

Turning back to <FIG>, the second slider <NUM> is adapted to be rigidly connected to the protecting bottom plate <NUM>, and to be rigidly connected to the mounting plates <NUM>. However, it would be conceivable in other exemplary embodiments, to have the second slider <NUM> flexibly connected to the first traction battery 16a, similarly to the first slider <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates further parts of the system and a second traction battery 16b to which the further parts are connectable, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention. <FIG> illustrates the second traction battery 16b after the further parts in <FIG> have been connected to the second traction battery 16b. Said further parts substantially correspond to the further parts discussed in connection with <FIG> and <FIG>. Thus, the system further comprises a third slider <NUM> to be connected to a font side <NUM> of the second traction battery 16b and a fourth slider <NUM> to be connected to an opposite rear side <NUM> of the second traction battery 16b. The third slider <NUM> is connected to the second traction battery 16b via two rubber parts <NUM> and a profiled element <NUM>, while the fourth slider <NUM> is rigidly connected to the second traction battery 16b. A difference, however, is that instead of the protecting bottom plate <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>, there is provided a horizontal side collision protection plate <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG> to which the third slider <NUM> and the fourth slider <NUM> may be screw-connected.

<FIG> illustrate a sequence in which the first traction battery 16a and the second traction battery 16b are installed in a vehicle.

Starting with <FIG>, after the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> have been mounted to the first traction battery 16a, it may be brought to the receiving structure <NUM> already secured to the frame member <NUM>.

The first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> have surfaces facing downwardly which are brought to mate with the sliding surfaces <NUM> of the lower arm portion <NUM> of the front bracket member <NUM> and the lower arm portion <NUM> of the rear bracket member <NUM>, respectively, and moved into place (for instance, slid into place) close to the frame member <NUM>. This is illustrated in <FIG>. The securing portions <NUM> of the front bracket member <NUM> and the rear bracket member <NUM>, and/or the intermediate securing bracket <NUM> may provide abutment surfaces which limit lateral movement. Suitably, once in the correct location, the first slider <NUM> may be secured to the sliding surface <NUM> of the front bracket member <NUM>, and the second slider <NUM> may be secured to the sliding surface <NUM> of the rear bracket member <NUM>, for instance by means of screw-connections.

Continuing with <FIG>, after the third slider <NUM> and the fourth slider <NUM> have been mounted to the second traction battery 16b, it may be brought to the receiving structure <NUM> already secured to the frame member <NUM>.

The third slider <NUM> and the fourth slider <NUM> have surfaces facing downwardly which are brought to mate with the sliding surfaces <NUM> of the upper arm portion <NUM> of the front bracket member <NUM> and the upper arm portion <NUM> of the rear bracket member <NUM>, respectively, and moved into place (for instance, slid into place) close to the frame member <NUM>. This is illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates that in exemplary embodiments, the system may comprise two vertical connectors <NUM>, each having an upper connecting portion <NUM> and a lower connecting portion <NUM> which are configured and dimensioned to mate with the lateral end portions <NUM> of the upper arm portion <NUM> and lower arm portion <NUM>, respectively, of one of the front and rear bracket members <NUM>, <NUM>. The connecting portions <NUM>, <NUM> may suitably be secured to the arm portions <NUM>, <NUM> by means of a screw-connection.

<FIG> illustrates that the vertical connectors <NUM> have been secured to the arm portions <NUM>, <NUM>. As can be seen in for example <FIG>, in some exemplary embodiments the vertical connectors <NUM> have a length substantially corresponding to the vertical extension of the two mounted traction batteries (i.e. substantially the thickness of the first traction battery 16a plus the thickness of the second traction battery 16b).

<FIG> illustrates that, in some exemplary embodiments, the system may comprise a crash protection structure <NUM> adapted to be mounted to the free ends of the arm portions <NUM>, <NUM>. It should be noted that by free ends is meant the end of the arm portion which is not fixed or integrated with the securing portion <NUM>. In other words, the free ends can receive other components, such as exemplified above, the free ends in the form of the lateral end portions <NUM> (<FIG>) may receive the vertical connectors <NUM>. The crash protection structure <NUM> may thus be connected to the lateral end portions via the vertical connectors <NUM>. In other exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable to connect the crash protection structure <NUM> directly to the lateral end portions. The crash protection structure <NUM> has been illustrated as a substantially planar fence, grid or gate. However, other configurations of the crash protection structure <NUM> are conceivable, such as a sheet metal structure, with or without perforations.

As can be seen in <FIG>, when the crash protection structure <NUM> has been properly mounted, and the first and second traction batteries 16a, 16b have been received between the front and rear bracket members <NUM>, <NUM>, the traction batteries 16a, 16b are enclosed by the frame member <NUM> of the vehicle (on a lateral side), the front bracket member <NUM> (on the front side), the rear bracket member <NUM> (on the rear side) and the crash protection structure <NUM> (on the opposite lateral side).

Thus, each arm portion <NUM>, <NUM> has a longitudinal extension projecting from the securing portion <NUM> to its free end, wherein, when the crash protection structure <NUM> is mounted to the free ends of the arm portions <NUM>, <NUM>, the main extension of the crash protection structure <NUM> lies in a geometrical plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the arm portions <NUM>, <NUM>.

In addition to being secured to the arm portions <NUM>, <NUM> (directly or indirectly via the vertical connectors <NUM>) the crash protection structure <NUM> may in at least some exemplary embodiments (see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) be connected to an upwardly bent edge <NUM> of the protecting bottom plate <NUM> and/or an upwardly bent edge <NUM> of the horizontal side collision protection plate <NUM>. Such bent upwardly extending edges <NUM>, <NUM> may, for instance, be provided with threaded holes for receiving a screw, bolt or the like for securing the crash protection structure <NUM>. However, other fastening means, such as snap connections are also conceivable. Furthermore, it should be understood that in some exemplary embodiment it would be conceivable to have snap connections instead of screw connections for interconnecting other components of the system.

<FIG> illustrate a sequence in which the first traction battery 16a and the second traction battery 16b are removed from the vehicle, for instance for being replaced by new traction batteries. As illustrated in <FIG>, after the crash protection structure and the vertical connectors have been removed, the first traction battery 16a is suitably removed from the lower arm portions <NUM>. This may for instance be by a sliding motion. Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, second traction battery 16b is removed from the upper arm portions <NUM>. This may, for instance, be by a sliding motion. However, a lifting motion is also conceivable. The removal of the first and second traction batteries 16a, 16b may, for instance, be carried out with the aid of a pallet lifter, a fork lift or any other appropriate tool or device.

<FIG> shows a flow chart representation of a method <NUM> for installation of traction batteries, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention. In particular, the flow chart represents a method <NUM> for installation of traction batteries to a vehicle having a chassis comprising at least one load-carrying frame member to which a front bracket member and a rear bracket member are secured to and projects from, the rear bracket member being spaced apart from the front bracket member, for receiving a traction battery between the front bracket member and the rear bracket member, wherein each one of the front bracket member and the rear bracket member comprises a respective sliding surface, the method comprising the steps of:.

The first step S1 and the second step S2 may be performed in reverse order or may be performed simultaneously. The third step S3 and the fourth step S4 may be performed in the reverse order. For instance, in some exemplary embodiments, the traction battery may be lifted towards the frame member and then mated with the bracket members. However, in other embodiments the traction battery may be first mated with the bracket members and then slid towards the frame member.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for installation of traction batteries for a vehicle (<NUM>) having a chassis comprising at least one load-carrying frame member (<NUM>), the system (<NUM>) comprising:
- a front bracket member (<NUM>) adapted to be secured to and project from a frame member (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>),
- a rear bracket member (<NUM>) adapted to be secured to and project from the frame member (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>) so that the rear bracket member (<NUM>) is spaced apart from the front bracket member (<NUM>) for receiving a traction battery (<NUM>, 16a, 16b) between the front bracket member (<NUM>) and the rear bracket member (<NUM>), wherein each one of the front bracket member (<NUM>) and the rear bracket member (<NUM>) comprises a respective sliding surface (<NUM>),
- a first slider (<NUM>) adapted to be connected to a front side (<NUM>) of a traction battery (<NUM>, 16a), and
- a second slider (<NUM>) adapted to be connected to an opposite rear side (<NUM>) of the traction battery (<NUM>, 16a), wherein the first slider (<NUM>) is adapted to be mated with the sliding surface (<NUM>) of the front bracket member (<NUM>) and the second slider (<NUM>) is adapted to be mated with the sliding surface (<NUM>) of the rear bracket member (<NUM>) subsequently to the first slider (<NUM>) and the second slider (<NUM>) having been connected to the traction battery (<NUM>, 16a), thereby enabling the traction battery (<NUM>, 16a) by means of the connected sliders (<NUM>, <NUM>) to be received by the front and rear bracket members (<NUM>, <NUM>) and be moved towards the frame member (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>),
characterized in that each one of the front bracket member (<NUM>) and the rear bracket member (<NUM>) comprises:
- a securing portion (<NUM>) for securing the bracket member (<NUM>, <NUM>) to a frame member (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>), and
- at least one arm portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) projecting from the securing portion (<NUM>),
the system further comprising a crash protection structure (<NUM>) adapted to be mounted to a free end of the at least one arm portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) of each one of the front bracket member (<NUM>) and the rear bracket member (<NUM>) when a traction battery (<NUM>, 16a, 16b) has been received therebetween, such that the traction battery (<NUM>, 16a, 16b) becomes enclosed by the frame member (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>), the front bracket member (<NUM>), the rear bracket member (<NUM>) and the crash protection structure (<NUM>).