Electric Vehicle Battery and Converter Layout for Collision Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicles face safety challenges during collisions when a temperature-adjustable storage unit, such as a refrigerator or freezer, is installed, as it can compromise the arrangement and protection of critical components like batteries and power converters.
Innovation Solution
The electric vehicle design incorporates a battery positioned beneath the floor, with a driving unit and electric power converters strategically located to act as impact-resistant components, and uses a branch box to share power sources between the driving and storage units, reducing weight and cost while minimizing electromagnetic noise interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a temperature-adjustable storage unit is installed in the electric vehicle, then the vehicle can provide additional functionality for cargo storage, but the arrangement and protection of critical components like batteries and power converters is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the battery beneath the floor of the in-vehicle space, utilizing the vertical dimension below the cargo area. This allows the temperature-adjustable storage unit to be installed in the cargo space without interfering with the battery's protected position, thereby maintaining both functionality and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the vehicle into distinct functional zones: the battery is segregated beneath the floor, while the temperature-adjustable storage unit occupies the cargo space. This spatial segmentation allows both components to coexist without compromising each other's safety or functionality.
2Loss of energy
If the electric power converter is positioned close to the battery for efficient power transmission, then energy loss is reduced, but the component becomes more vulnerable to collision damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the electric power converter in the longitudinal direction between the battery and the driving unit, utilizing the longitudinal dimension rather than placing it directly adjacent to the battery in the transverse direction. This positioning allows the driving unit to serve as a protective barrier while maintaining reasonable power transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving unit with its high-rigidity case is positioned to function as an impact-resistant portion that protects the electric power converter from collision damage. This protective arrangement is established in advance to prevent damage to the power converter during collisions.
3Speed
If the control unit is positioned close to the electric power converter for coordinated control, then control response is improved, but electromagnetic noise from high-voltage current affects the autonomous driving control system
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is extracted from proximity to the high-voltage electric power converter and positioned at the opposite side of the battery in the longitudinal direction. This separation removes the control unit from the electromagnetic noise environment while maintaining its ability to coordinate control through electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electrical connections and wiring as intermediaries to transmit control signals between the control unit and the electric power converter, allowing coordinated control to be maintained despite the physical separation that protects against electromagnetic noise.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an electric vehicle including: a battery that is accommodated beneath a floor of an in-vehicle space portion; a temperature-adjustable storage unit that is accommodated in the in-vehicle space portion; a driving unit that is provided at a vehicle longitudinal direction one side of the battery; an electric power converter for driving that is disposed, in a vehicle longitudinal direction, disposed within a range that extends from the battery to an end portion of a vehicle longitudinal direction outer side of the driving unit, and that is electrically connected to the battery and the driving unit; an electric power converter for the storage unit that is disposed within the range and that is electrically connected to the storage unit; and a control unit that controls autonomous driving of the vehicle.