Electric Vehicle Charging Connector Positioning for Collision Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric automobiles experience significant impact on the charging connector during frontal collisions, and the cables connected to these connectors lack adequate protection, necessitating enhanced protection performance for both the connectors and cables.
Innovation Solution
The electric automobile design relocates the charging port to the lateral surface of the front section, with the charging connector positioned rearward of the front wheel and forward of the dash panel, ensuring that the impact is absorbed by the front wheels, and the cable connection is secured to prevent damage during collisions. Additionally, the cable connection is positioned on the upper side of the power control unit for easier maintenance and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the charging connector is attached to the front section of the vehicle, then it is easily accessible for charging operations, but it experiences large impact during frontal collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable as an intermediary element between the charging connector and the power control unit. The cable is positioned to absorb and distribute collision forces, acting as a protective mediator that prevents direct impact transmission to the charging connector while maintaining operational accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent relocates the charging connector from a conventional front-facing position to a lateral surface position at the front section. This spatial repositioning in another dimension (from central front to lateral front) maintains accessibility while reducing exposure to direct frontal collision impacts.
2Productivity
If the cable is arranged inside the vehicle to conduct power, then it provides power transmission functionality, but it lacks adequate protection during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the cable within the vehicle body structure in advance, utilizing the vehicle's structural components as protective cushioning. The cable is routed through protected pathways and secured to prevent displacement during collision, providing beforehand protection against mechanical damage while maintaining power transmission capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the charging connector is positioned forward of the dash panel, then it facilitates attachment to the vehicle body, but it increases vulnerability to collision impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the charging connector on the lateral surface of the front section, which is forward of the dash panel but offset from the central frontal axis. This dimensional change allows the connector to be attached to easily accessible vehicle body portions while reducing direct exposure to the primary impact zone of frontal collisions.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric automobile in which a power control unit is disposed in a motor room formed at a front section of a vehicle: wherein a charging port or a power supply port is provided on a lateral surface of the front section of the vehicle; a charging connector or a power supply connector for connection to a charging power supply or an external device is attached to the charging port or the power supply port; the charging connector or the power supply connector is disposed in a manner so that a forward end thereof is located rearward of a forward end of a front wheel, and a rearward end thereof is located forward of a dash panel that partitions the motor room and a vehicle cabin; the charging connector or the power supply connector and the power control unit are connected by a cable; and a connection section between the cable and the power control unit is provided forward of the charging connector or the power supply connector.