Vehicle Battery Underbody Layout With Drive Shaft Pass-Through
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for mounting high voltage battery units in vehicles, either under the center floor or in the trunk space, face challenges such as reduced trunk space for spare tires, difficulty in implementing full third-row seats in SUVs/MPVs, and inefficient power delivery to rear wheels, requiring separate rear wheel drive motors which increase cost and weight.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle underbody structure that integrates a high voltage battery unit under the center floor, utilizing a rear cross member and side sills to maximize trunk space, eliminate the need for a rear wheel drive motor, and enhance vehicle rigidity by connecting the battery unit with the vehicle body, allowing the drive shaft to penetrate between battery parts and deliver power to the rear wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the high voltage battery unit is mounted under the center floor, then the trunk space is maximized, but the power delivery to rear wheels becomes difficult requiring separate rear wheel drive motor
Solution Approach 1:
The drive shaft is routed through the vertical dimension by penetrating the battery unit from top to bottom, allowing power delivery to rear wheels while maintaining the battery's horizontal position under the center floor. This dimensional approach resolves the spatial conflict between battery placement and powertrain connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The high voltage battery unit serves multiple functions: it acts as both the energy storage component and the structural mounting platform for the drive shaft. The battery's housing and internal components are utilized as mounting structures, eliminating the need for separate rear wheel drive motor while maximizing trunk space.
2Ease of operation
If the high voltage battery unit is mounted in the trunk space, then the power delivery to rear wheels is easier, but the trunk space is reduced making it difficult to provide spare tire and implement full third row seat
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of routing the drive shaft horizontally through the trunk space, the system uses vertical penetration through the battery unit's height dimension. This allows power delivery functionality to be achieved without occupying horizontal trunk space, enabling full utilization of the trunk volume for cargo and seating.
3Ease of operation
If separate rear wheel drive motor is mounted to deliver power to rear wheel, then the power delivery is achieved, but the cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The high voltage battery unit and drive shaft mounting structure are merged into a single integrated assembly. The battery's housing, terminal structures, and internal components serve dual purposes as both energy storage and mechanical mounting points, eliminating the need for separate rear wheel drive motor and reducing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: electrical energy storage, structural support for the drive shaft, and mounting platform for powertrain components. This multi-functionality eliminates redundant components and reduces vehicle weight while maintaining power delivery capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A high voltage battery unit for a vehicle and an underbody of the vehicle are provided. The high voltage battery unit mounted to the vehicle is installed under a center floor of the vehicle at the outdoor side. A drive shaft forming a drive device of the vehicle is installed to penetrate between battery built-in parts positioned at both sides with respect to a center tunnel to deliver the power of a powertrain mounted at the front of the vehicle to a rear wheel through the drive shaft.