Electric Automobile Component Layout for Collision Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electric automobiles designed for autonomous driving, there is a need to minimize damage to traveling devices during collisions, particularly in vehicles without a driver's seat, to ensure safety and maintain autonomous driving capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The electric automobile is designed with a battery installed beneath the vehicle cabin, a driving unit positioned on one side, a high-voltage part and control unit located inwardly, and an accessory part outwardly, functioning as an impact-absorbing unit. Additionally, sensors are placed at the front and rear, and a cooling device is positioned to ensure cooling performance regardless of the vehicle's direction of travel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the driving unit is positioned at the outer side of the vehicle, then the high-voltage part and control unit are protected from collision damage, but the accessory part may interfere with the impact-absorbing function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of high-voltage part and control unitVSAvoidspatial arrangement of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is divided into distinct functional zones: the driving unit is positioned at the outer side to serve as an impact-absorbing structure, while the high-voltage part and control unit are placed at the inner side for protection. This spatial segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The driving unit acts as an intermediary structure between the external collision force and the vulnerable high-voltage part and control unit. It absorbs and dissipates impact energy, preventing direct transmission to the protected components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If the vehicle is designed for completely autonomous driving without a driver's seat, then autonomous driving capability is improved, but safety at the time of collision is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous driving capabilityVSAvoidsafety at the time of collision

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The driving unit is designed to function as an impact-absorbing structure before any collision occurs. This pre-configured protective mechanism ensures that when a collision happens, the driving unit can immediately absorb impact energy, protecting the high-voltage part and control unit even in the absence of a driver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The driving unit, which is essential for vehicle movement, is also designed to serve as a protective barrier during collisions. The structure that enables motion is converted into a harm-absorbing element, transforming the potential vulnerability of an autonomous vehicle into a safety feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If the high-voltage part and control unit are positioned at the inner side of the vehicle, then protection from collision is improved, but accessibility for maintenance and repair is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from collisionVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle structure is designed with dynamic accessibility features that allow the high-voltage part and control unit to be easily accessed for maintenance while maintaining their protected position. The inner-side positioning is complemented by design features that enable service personnel to reach these components when needed, balancing protection with maintainability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 reduces damage to high-voltage and control units during collisions, maintains autonomous driving performance, and ensures effective cooling and accessibility, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the driving unit functions as an impact-absorbing portion at the time of a collision

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

a cooling device that is disposed further toward a vehicle transverse direction outer side than the driving unit, the high-voltage part and the control unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS11007884B2Electric automobile

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

There is provided an electric automobile including: a battery installed beneath a floor of a vehicle cabin; a driving unit provided at either one side, in a vehicle longitudinal direction, with respect to the battery; a high-voltage part disposed at the one side with respect to the battery and further toward a vehicle longitudinal direction inner side than an end portion at the one side of the driving unit and electrically connected to the driving unit; a control unit disposed at the one side with respect to the battery and further toward the vehicle longitudinal direction inner side than the end portion of the driving unit, and that controls autonomous driving of the vehicle; and an accessory part disposed further toward a vehicle longitudinal direction outer side than the end portion of the driving unit and independent from a control system that relates to traveling.