EV Powertrain Layout With Under-Seat Battery and Overlapping Propeller Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaging an electric vehicle powertrain in an off-road vehicle presents challenges, particularly in efficiently integrating components such as batteries, electric motors, transmissions, and propeller shafts while maintaining vehicle functionality and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
The electric vehicle design incorporates a powertrain layout where a battery is positioned partially under the seats, an electric motor is located rearward of the battery, and a propeller shaft extends from rearward to forward of the battery, overlapping laterally with the battery. This configuration optimizes space and weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the battery is positioned under the seats and the propeller shaft extends along the vehicle centerline overlapping the battery, then space utilization is optimized, but the complexity of packaging and integrating components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller shaft is positioned to extend along the vehicle centerline in the longitudinal dimension, laterally overlapping the battery in the transverse dimension. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows both components to occupy the same longitudinal space without interference, maximizing space utilization while maintaining functional separation through spatial layering.
Solution Approach 2:
The powertrain components are nested within the vehicle frame structure, with the battery positioned under the seats and the propeller shaft routing through the central tunnel area. This nested arrangement integrates multiple components into the existing vehicle architecture, optimizing packaging efficiency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the electric motor is positioned rearward of the battery and the transmission is positioned vertically lower than the seats, then weight distribution is optimized, but the difficulty of component integration increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different powertrain components are positioned at different vertical levels within the vehicle structure. The battery is positioned higher under the seats, the transmission is positioned lower in the vehicle chassis, and the electric motor is positioned rearward at an intermediate height. This vertical stratification optimizes weight distribution and center of gravity while maintaining clear integration pathways.
3Productivity
If the propeller shaft laterally overlaps the battery when viewed from the side, then packaging efficiency is improved, but the risk of interference between components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller shaft and battery are arranged to overlap in the lateral dimension while being separated in the vertical dimension. The propeller shaft occupies the central tunnel space, while the battery is positioned higher under the seats. This vertical separation eliminates mechanical interference while maintaining lateral compactness for efficient packaging.
Data Source
AI summary
The enclosed disclosure relates to a configuration of an electric vehicle. The embodiments described within provide improvements in the way of packaging associated batteries, motors, transmissions, controllers, and associated components. In the described embodiment enclosed, a vehicle comprises a frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging members, and the frame is configured to support a plurality of seats. The vehicle includes a powertrain comprising a battery supported by the frame and the battery is under at least partially under at least one of the seats. The powertrain also includes a motor supported by the frame and a propeller shaft extends from a position rearward of the battery to a position forward of the battery. The propeller shaft extends along a portion of the vehicle centerline, and when viewed from a side perspective view, the propeller shaft laterally overlaps at least a portion of the battery.