Central Electrical Unit Layout for Faster E-Trailer Axle Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric trailer systems have distributed component arrangements that complicate installation and require skilled labor, making assembly on a production line difficult and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A central electrical device with integrated electrical and electronic components in a common housing, featuring a high-voltage and low-voltage distribution and protection units, simplifies installation by reducing interfaces and allowing preassembly, enabling efficient connection to an e-drive axle with a single high-voltage and low-voltage interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If distributed component arrangements are used throughout the trailer or semitrailer, then the electrical and electronic components can be spread out, but the installation becomes more difficult and time-consuming on production lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple electrical and electronic components (high-voltage distribution unit, low-voltage distribution unit, protection units, control devices) into a single centralized electrical device housing. This merging of previously distributed components throughout the trailer into one integrated unit directly resolves the contradiction by making installation easier while maintaining all necessary functional complexity within the consolidated device.
2Productivity
If multiple interfaces are used to connect electrical components, then all components can be connected, but the assembly time increases and skilled labor is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of interfaces by consolidating multiple connection points into a single standardized interface on the centralized electrical device. This interface connects to the e-drive axle, eliminating the need for multiple separate connections and skilled assembly steps, thereby increasing productivity while managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized interface designed in the patent serves multiple functions: it connects high-voltage power, low-voltage control signals, and data communication all through a single connection point. This multi-functional interface reduces assembly complexity and time while maintaining complete electrical connectivity between the centralized device and the e-drive axle.
3Loss of time
If components are preassembled in a common housing, then assembly time is reduced and production can be standardized, but the housing must accommodate multiple voltage levels and protection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized electrical device housing is segmented into distinct compartments and mounting areas for high-voltage components, low-voltage components, and protection units. This internal segmentation allows each voltage level and functional unit to be organized separately within the common housing, facilitating preassembly while managing the complexity of accommodating multiple voltage levels and protection requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A central electrical device is for operating an electric driving and/or recuperation axle of a trailer or semitrailer of a utility vehicle. The central electrical device includes at least two electrical and/or electronic components which are arranged in a common housing and are interconnected inside the housing in such a way that the components, which operate at the same voltage level, are guided to a common interface, formed on the housing, for connection to the electric driving and/or recuperation axle of the trailer or semitrailer of the utility vehicle.