Integrated Vehicle Drive Unit for Wireless Power and Lower Battery Weight
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in reducing the weight and installation volume of electric power units in vehicles equipped with secondary batteries, which complicates cooling systems and increases vehicle weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A drive unit is designed with a frame-shaped subsidiary frame, a power receiving part with a coil for non-contact electric power transmission, a rotating electric machine, and an electrical storage device and electric power controller integrated with the rotating electric machine. This configuration allows for the suppression of secondary battery capacity increases and simplifies cooling structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If secondary batteries are integrated with inverters and power reception coils to enable non-contact electric power transmission, then energy efficiency is improved, but vehicle weight and installation volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the inverter, power reception coil, and control devices into a single integrated unit that is mounted on the vehicle body. This merging of multiple components into one unified structure reduces the overall installation volume and weight compared to separate installations, while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of non-contact electric power transmission
2Volume of moving object
If secondary batteries are placed under seats to serve as occupant space, then installation volume is reduced, but occupied space deteriorates and body structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery system from traditional placement locations (under seats) and repositions it to a dedicated space behind the rear seats. This extraction allows the battery to be installed in an otherwise unused space, avoiding deterioration of occupant space while reducing body structure complexity by eliminating the need for special collision protection structures
3Temperature
If multiple cooling paths are created for different heat resisting temperature objects, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal cooling system that can cool multiple components (battery, motor, gear, inverter, air-conditioning device) through a single cooling path. The cooling system is designed to handle different heat resisting temperatures by adjusting cooling parameters rather than creating separate cooling paths, thereby reducing system complexity and the number of coolers needed
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
The solution effectively reduces the weight and volume of electrical storage devices, allowing for increased passenger and cargo compartment space, simplified body structures, and reduced cooling system complexity, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and reducing vehicle weight and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a coil (13) configured to receive alternating current electric power transmitted from a power transmission device (T) in a non-contact manner
Data Source
AI summary
A drive unit includes a subsidiary frame, a power receiving device, an electrical storage device, an electric power control device, and a rotating electric machine. The subsidiary frame is fixed to a lower portion of a vehicle body. The power receiving device is disposed below the subsidiary frame and integrally fixed to the subsidiary frame. The power receiving device receives alternating current electric power transmitted from a power transmission device in a non-contact manner. The rotating electric machine is integrally fixed to the subsidiary frame. The electrical storage device and the electric power control device are integrally fixed to the rotating electric machine. The electrical storage device transmits and receives electric power to and from the rotating electric machine. The electric power control device controls electric power transmission and reception between the electrical storage device and the rotating electric machine.