Electric Vehicle Powertrain Layout for Rear Seat Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric four-wheel vehicles face challenges in creating space for a rear seat or luggage storage above the power unit and in accommodating a battery unit without increasing the vehicle body width.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle design positions the battery unit under the front seat, with the power control unit between the battery unit and the electric motor, allowing for efficient cable routing and minimizing manufacturing costs, while also providing space above the electric motor for a rear seat or luggage storage by arranging the battery unit, power control unit, and electric motor in a single file configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electric devices (inverter, DC/DC converter, electronic control unit) are positioned above the power unit, then power control functionality is achieved, but the space for rear seat or luggage storage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the power control unit from a vertical arrangement (above the power unit) to a longitudinal arrangement (between the battery unit and power unit). This dimensional change in spatial configuration resolves the conflict by utilizing the length dimension of the vehicle rather than the height dimension, thereby creating sufficient vertical space for rear seats or luggage storage while maintaining all power control functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The power control system is segmented into separate functional units: the inverter, DC/DC converter, and electronic control unit are positioned in the power control unit between the battery and power unit, while the power unit itself remains separate. This segmentation allows independent optimization of space for both power control functions and passenger/luggage space.
2Ease of manufacture
If electric devices are positioned on either side of the battery unit, then power control functionality is achieved, but the vehicle body width increases undesirably
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning power control devices laterally on either side of the battery unit (increasing vehicle width), the patent positions them longitudinally between the battery unit and power unit. This dimensional shift from lateral to longitudinal arrangement maintains all power control functionalities while preserving a compact vehicle body width.
3Volume of moving object
If battery unit is positioned under the front seat, then space optimization is achieved, but cable routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power control unit serves as an intermediary component positioned between the battery unit and power unit. This intermediary positioning creates an optimal hub for cable routing, allowing cables to connect the battery, power control unit, and power unit in a logical sequence. This arrangement simplifies the overall cable routing architecture compared to direct connections between battery and power unit, reducing routing complexity while maintaining space optimization.
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 enhances power efficiency, reduces manufacturing costs, and optimizes space usage by allowing the battery unit to be cooled by ambient air and protected from impacts, while enabling the installation of a rear seat or luggage storage above the power unit.
Implementation Method 1
the battery unit is exposed to the ambient air so that the battery unit is favorably cooled by the wind created by the movement of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The four wheel vehicle uses an electric motor (142) for driving the vehicle and a battery unit (160) for supplying electric power to the electric motor. The lower chassis (5) of the vehicle includes a pair of front side frames (10) extending linearly in a fore and aft direction with an upward slant and a progressively increasing lateral mutual spacing from a front part thereof to a rear part thereof and a plurality of cross members (14, 16, 18) connecting the front side frames to each other. The battery unit is positioned between the two front side frames such that the battery unit overlaps with the front side frames in side view. Thereby, the battery unit can be effectively protected from side impacts.