Electric Vehicle Inverter Mounting Layout Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electric vehicles, the existing mounting structures for inverters limit the degree of freedom in arranging devices in the front compartment, as they are typically fixed between frame members, offering little space for other components and inadequate protection against impact.

Innovation Solution

The inverter is arranged outside the frame members in the vehicle width direction, with different fixation strengths between its inner and outer sides, allowing it to be freed from the frame member during an impact and coupled to the cabin outer plate, enabling movement and impact mitigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inverter is fixed between frame members, then the inverter is protected from impact, but the degree of freedom in arranging devices is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidarrangement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter is moved from the traditional position between frame members to a position on the side member in the vehicle width direction. This spatial repositioning in another dimension resolves the contradiction by providing arrangement flexibility while maintaining impact protection through the side member's structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the inverter is fixed rigidly to the frame member, then the inverter is protected from impact, but the power cable may rupture due to deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidpower cable rupture risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation structure is designed with different properties at different locations: the inverter is fixed to the side member at one location while the power cable is fixed to the bracket at another location. This local differentiation allows the bracket to deform under impact, protecting the power cable from rupture while maintaining overall impact protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket serves as an intermediary component between the inverter and the side member. It provides a flexible connection that can deform during impact, acting as a buffer that protects the power cable from rupture while still maintaining the inverter's position and impact protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the inverter is arranged between frame members, then it is protected from impact, but the space for other devices is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidavailable space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter is repositioned from the space between frame members to the side member in the vehicle width direction. This dimensional change in spatial arrangement frees up the central space for other devices while the inverter remains protected by the side member's structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9718362B2Electric vehicle

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

An electric vehicle disclosed by the present specification, includes an inverter arranged outside frame members in a vehicle width direction, in a front compartment. An inner side of the inverter in the vehicle width direction is fixed to one of the frame members. An outer side of the inverter in the vehicle width direction is fixed to a cabin outer plate. Furthermore, a fixation strength of the inner side of the inverter is lower than a fixation strength of the outer side of the inverter.