Engine Compartment Charger Layout for Charging Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), securing an efficient space for routing a charging cable in the engine compartment is challenging due to the presence of numerous components like the engine and transaxle.
Innovation Solution
The charging cable is routed through a space between the engine and a charger mounted above the transaxle, with the cable being deflected and fixed to a dash panel, allowing efficient space utilization and vibration absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a charger is mounted in the engine compartment, then the charging function is integrated, but the space for routing the charging cable becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable is routed through the width direction (vehicle width direction) between the engine and charger, rather than routing it in the front-rear direction or above the charger. This dimensional change in cable routing path resolves the space conflict by utilizing the lateral gap between components.
2Area of stationary object
If the charging cable is routed through the space between the engine and charger, then cable routing space is secured, but the cable is exposed to engine vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
A clamping member is introduced as an intermediary component to secure the charging cable to the dash panel. This mediator fixes the cable in a deflected state, preventing direct exposure to engine vibrations while maintaining the routing path through the engine-charger space.
3Reliability
If the charging cable is fixed to the dash panel in a deflected state, then vibration damage is prevented, but the cable routing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable is pre-deflected and clamped to the dash panel before reaching the charging port area. This preliminary action of deflecting and securing the cable upstream prevents vibration damage while the clamping member provides a simple, standardized fixing mechanism that doesn't significantly increase overall system complexity.
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 efficiently secures space for the charging cable, minimizes the vehicle's front and height dimensions, and absorbs engine vibrations, preventing cable damage.
Implementation Method 1
the charging cable routed from the side of the charger facing the engine in the vehicle width direction to the vehicle rear side is fixed to the dash panel in a deflected state. Therefore, the charging cable does not need to be affected by the vibration of the engine
Data Source
AI summary
An engine compartment mounted structure is provided with an engine mounted in an engine compartment of a vehicle, a charger mounted on the vehicle upper side of the transaxle mounted in the engine compartment and side by side in a vehicle width direction in a plan view, and a charging cable arranged from the charger to a charging port for external power supply connection provided on an outer plate of the vehicle, and the charging cable is arranged through a space between the engine and the charger.