Center Tunnel Pipe Layout for Larger Vehicle Cabin Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle designs require space for refrigerant pipes when integrating an air conditioner unit, reducing the vehicle cabin space.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle design incorporates a propeller shaft space to house refrigerant pipes, enhancing space efficiency and enlarging the cabin by bending the floor panel to form a center tunnel portion, allowing pipes to extend through this space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a refrigerant pipe is provided to connect the prime mover and the air conditioner unit, then the air conditioning function is achieved, but the vehicle cabin space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant pipe is nested within the propeller shaft space, utilizing the existing void area below the floor panel. The pipe is arranged to extend through the propeller shaft space from the air conditioner unit to the prime mover, effectively nesting the refrigerant transport function within the structural space already required for power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant pipe routing moves from a potential horizontal or vertical arrangement that would occupy cabin space to a three-dimensional path that utilizes the depth dimension below the floor panel. The pipe extends in the front-rear direction through the propeller shaft space, effectively using the vertical space dimension that would otherwise be unused.
2Volume of moving object
If the floor panel is bent upward to form a center tunnel portion, then the propeller shaft space is created, but the floor panel structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The floor panel is bent upward in a convex shape to form the center tunnel portion, using curvature to create the required space. This curved configuration allows the floor panel to maintain structural integrity while forming the three-dimensional propeller shaft space needed for housing the refrigerant pipe and accommodating the propeller shaft.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration improves space efficiency and enlarges the vehicle cabin by effectively utilizing the propeller shaft space, while preventing pipe heat interference and reducing assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
the floor panel is formed with a center tunnel portion formed by bending the floor panel upward in a convex shape
Implementation Method 2
a compressor driven by power of the prime mover and configured to compress the first refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a prime mover provided behind a front room and below a floor panel, a propeller shaft extending in front of the prime mover and below the floor panel in a front-rear direction and configured to transmit rotational power output from the prime mover, an air conditioner unit that is provided in the front room and through which a first refrigerant flows, a compressor driven by power of the prime mover and configured to compress the first refrigerant, and a first pipe that connects the air conditioner unit and the compressor and through which the first refrigerant flows. The floor panel is formed with a center tunnel portion formed by bending the floor panel upward in a convex shape. A space in which the propeller shaft is provided is formed below the center tunnel portion. The first pipe extends through the space in the front-rear direction.