EV Spare Tire Brace Deformation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric vehicles, the spare tire may be pushed forward during a rear-end collision, potentially damaging high voltage components such as the motor and power control unit due to their rearward positioning.
Innovation Solution
A brace is fixed to the vehicle body, extending along the longitudinal direction and supporting the spare tire from below, with a bent portion that deforms to push the spare tire upward during a collision, preventing its forward movement and potential invasion into high voltage components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spare tire is disposed at a rear portion of the body, then it is easily accessible and stowed compactly, but it may be pushed forward during a rear-end collision and damage high voltage components
Solution Approach 1:
A brace is introduced as an intermediary component between the spare tire and the vehicle body. The brace extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction and includes a bent portion that acts as a mechanical mediator to push the spare tire upward during rear-end collisions, preventing forward movement that would otherwise damage high voltage components
Solution Approach 2:
The bent portion of the brace is pre-configured with an upward protrusion relative to the straight line connecting the front and rear ends. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that when compression force is applied during a rear-end collision, the bent portion automatically pushes the spare tire upward in opposition to the harmful forward movement, before damage can occur
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
The solution effectively suppresses the forward movement of the spare tire, reducing the risk of damage to high voltage components by ensuring they are not invaded by the spare tire during a rear-end collision, thereby protecting critical electrical components.
Implementation Method 1
the brace deforms to bend at its bent portion under the above situation. Especially, the bent portion of the brace is located above the straight line connecting the front end and the rear end of the brace, thus the brace bends to cause the bent portion to protrude upward
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle may include a body; a spare tire disposed in a rear portion of the body; and a brace fixed to the body, extending along a vehicle longitudinal direction, and supporting the spare tire from below. The brace may include a front end fixed to the body, a rear end fixed to the body at a position rearward of the front end, and a bent portion located between the front end and the rear end. The bent portion of the brace is located above a straight line extending between the front end and the rear end of the brace.