Engo Akkukotelo by Vladimir Zagorac is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 Rautapalkinto A' Design Award in Energia Competition Category.

RautaEnergia· 2023

Engo Akkukotelo

by Vladimir Zagorac

Client: EnGo Planet

Rautapalkinto A' Design Award Winner in Energia Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Engo Akkukotelo

Engo on pinottava akkukotelo, joka on suunniteltu aurinkoenergiatuotteisiin ja muihin energian varastointikäyttötarkoituksiin. Kotelo on valmistettu alumiinista, ja siinä on teräsrunko, muovilevyt ja kumieristys. Viistetyt pystyreunat ja upotetut kulmat muodostavat piilotetun kaapelireitin, jolloin johdotus pysyy siistinä sekä vaaka- että pystysuunnassa. Ylä- ja alareunojen pidennetyt seinämät peittävät kaapelit ja mahdollistavat turvallisen pinoamisen jättäen tilaa liittimien kytkemiselle. Kolme eristekerrosta pitävät akkupaketin lämpötilan vakaana käytön aikana.

The Recognition

About the Rautapalkinto A' Design Award

Engo Akkukotelo on Rautapalkinnon A' Design Award -voittaja, arvostettu tunnustus, joka myönnetään hyville designeille, jotka täyttävät hyvin suunnitelluilta luomuksilta odotetut ammatilliset ja teollisuuden vaatimukset. Rautavoittajat osoittavat tekijöidensä suurta taitoa, korkeaa erikoistumista, asiantuntevaa ymmärrystä ja luovaa kapasiteettia. Engo Akkukotelo:n odotetaan olevan korkeassa arvossa pidetty, ihailtu ja rakastettu luomus, joka on käytännöllinen ja innovatiivinen. Tämä Rautapalkinnon A' Design Award -voittajadesign yhdistää alan parhaita käytäntöjä, ja sillä on pätevät tekniset ominaisuudet, jotka yhdistyvät osaamiseen ja lahjakkuuteen. Engo Akkukotelo:a arvostetaan sen perusteellisuudesta, ja se on suunniteltu tarjoamaan elämänlaadun parannuksia, jotka auttavat tekemään maailmasta paremman paikan.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The straightforward geometric form of the enclosure is interrupted only by chamfered vertical edges and recessed corners. These details are part of a hidden cabling solution, especially useful within large battery sets, enabling clean and minimally noticeable wiring in any direction, both horizontally and vertically. Extended walls on the top and bottom of the housing keep the cables covered and allow safe stacking while giving enough room to connect the terminals between the stacked pieces.
Dimensions & Packaging: 30Ah unit W: 205mm, D: 90mm, H: 215mm; 60Ah unit W: 220mm, D: 120mm, H: 380mm; 100Ah unit W: 248mm, D: 120mm, H: 556mm.
Tags: Smart Battery, Power Wall, Stackable, Minimal, Cable Management
Production Technology: Aluminum casing, steel frame, plastic plates, rubber insulation
Design Challenge: The battery is to be used in retrofit solar equipment, as an individual product, inside solutions such as power walls, electric vehicles, yachts, etc. That required smart usage of available space. Thermal and water insulation were given careful attention. Three layers of insulation, including ceramic coating, keep the battery pack at a constant temperature and operational between minus twenty and plus eighty degrees Celsius. The rubber used for insulation of the top and bottom of the enclosure gives enough flexibility to compensate for an uneven floor but does not allow capsizing.
Research: A simple production process in any given volume, different sizes of battery packs used, and low starting cost suggested aluminum for the housing. That also planted the idea to use as little manual operation as possible, calling for a minimal but characteristic design that could be produced by CNC cutting and bending. The proportions of the few visible details were refined according to the dimensions of cables, contacts, and connectors, which needed to fit perfectly in the space between the neighboring housings.
Inspiration: The project started with the idea to produce battery casings for a range of EnGo Planet's solar products. After analysis of a typical installation process and everyday usage scenarios, inspiration was found in pure functionality and minimal aesthetic expression. Easy stacking, optimal space usage, and intelligent cable management were the main focus of the design.
Project Duration: The project lasted several weeks and took place in USA and Europe.
Operation Flow: A combination of design details and flexible materials used on the top and bottom of the housing keep the wiring neat and give a clean look to any battery set. The bottom rubber surface features two openings that match the position of the terminals on the unit placed below. The side openings allow lifting the case using a strap, which makes the stacking of heavier versions of the battery easier. The operation and capacity of the unit can be monitored by a smartphone over Bluetooth. The product is available with an optional voltmeter, switch, and USB inlets for charging mobile devices.
Patents: Vladimir Zagorac
Team Members: Vladimir Zagorac
Image Credits: Vladimir Zagorac