Electric Vehicle Cabin Space via Storage Chamber Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicles with automated driving capabilities lack sufficient cabin space and appropriate load distribution between the front and rear sides, as they are designed with conventional manual driving layouts that do not optimize space utilization.
Innovation Solution
The electric vehicle design incorporates first and second storage chambers that partially overlap the cabin in the front-rear direction, housing the motor, brake fluid pressure generation device, and air-conditioning device in a divided manner, allowing for effective space utilization and load distribution, and eliminates the need for a conventional driver seat and steering wheel, enabling fully or semi-automated driving with additional passenger seating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional manual driving layout is used in automated driving vehicle, then driver seat and steering wheel can be provided, but vehicle cabin space is reduced and load distribution is unoptimized
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body is divided into distinct functional zones: a vehicle cabin for passengers and separate storage chambers for mechanical components. The first storage chamber is positioned at the front end and the second storage chamber at the rear end, segmenting the vehicle structure to optimize space utilization and increase cabin volume while maintaining proper load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage chambers are arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction with partial overlap in the vertical dimension. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows mechanical components to be positioned above the cabin floor level, effectively utilizing vertical space and increasing horizontal cabin area without compromising structural integrity or load balance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If components are stored in separate storage chambers, then load distribution is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage chambers serve multiple functions: they house mechanical components (motor, brake fluid pressure generation device, air-conditioning device), act as structural elements for load distribution, and define the vehicle's front-rear geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated structures, balancing component segregation with structural efficiency.
3Extent of automation
If driver seat and steering wheel are eliminated, then automated driving capability is enabled, but ease of operation for manual mode is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional driver seat and steering wheel are extracted from the vehicle cabin, removing manual driving interfaces. This extraction enables full automated driving capability and maximizes cabin space for passenger accommodation, as the vehicle is designed specifically for automated operation without requiring traditional driver controls.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric vehicle includes: a motor; a braking device (10) for wheel braking, the braking device (10) including a brake fluid pressure generation device; an air-conditioning device; and a battery as a power source for the motor. The vehicle is not provided with a driver seat that allows a user to operate a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, and a brake pedal in a state where the user sits on the driver seat, and the vehicle is configured to perform automated driving. A first storage chamber (5) and a second storage chamber (7) are provided in a first end portion and a second end portion of the vehicle in the vehicle front-rear direction, respectively, such that the first storage chamber (5) and the second storage chamber (7) partially overlap a vehicle cabin (4) in the vehicle front-rear direction. A third storage chamber (6) is provided under a floor of the vehicle cabin (4).