Vehicle Drive Unit Boost Connector Layout for Compact Sealed Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric drive systems in new energy vehicles face challenges in compactness, installation convenience, sealing reliability, and safety due to the remote placement of boost connectors from the electric motor's electrical connectors, which increases system volume and complicates installation.

Innovation Solution

The drive system incorporates a boost connector arranged at the drive end of the electric motor, passing through a hollow positioning shaft and a cover, which is structurally compact, easy to install, well-sealed, and highly reliable, while maintaining the existing structure's layout without affecting the parking lock mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the boost connector is installed at the non-drive end of the electric motor, then the installation is simpler, but the system volume increases and the structure becomes less compact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidsystem volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial dimension by moving the boost connector installation from the non-drive end (remote location) to the drive end (near the electrical connector). This dimensional repositioning allows the connector to pass through the transmission cover and positioning shaft, achieving compact integration without increasing system volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the boost connector is installed at the drive end of the electric motor, then the structure becomes more compact, but the installation becomes more difficult due to transmission components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem volumeVSAvoidinstallation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning shaft is designed with dual functionality: it serves both as a structural component for the parking lock mechanism and as a passage for the boost connector. This multi-functionality allows the connector to pass through the transmission area without interfering with the parking lock, simplifying installation while maintaining compact structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission cover acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates the passage of the boost connector from the drive end through the transmission area to the electrical connector. The cover's design with appropriate openings and the positioning shaft as a guide path mediate the connection process, making installation feasible despite the complex transmission environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the boost connector passes through the transmission, then the connector can reach the electrical connector, but the parking lock mechanism layout is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnector accessibilityVSAvoidtransmission layout complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning shaft serves dual purposes: it is both a structural element for the parking lock mechanism and a passage for the boost connector. This multi-functionality allows the connector to be routed through the transmission area without compromising the parking lock layout, as the shaft's design accommodates both functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4568077A1Drive system for vehicle, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 VALEO ELECTRIFICATION
  • EP4568077A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4568077A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4568077A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a drive system for a vehicle, and a vehicle. The drive system comprises: a housing, containing an electric motor of the drive system; a cover, fixed to the housing and formed with a cavity accommodating a transmission of the drive system; and a boost connector, passing through the cover and extending into the housing, and electrically connected to an electrical connector of the electric motor.