High-Voltage Cable Support Layout for Electrified Fire Trucks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighting vehicles with internal combustion engines face challenges in electrification, as existing solutions often require significant redesign and operator training, leading to increased costs and reduced fleet efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrified firefighting vehicle with a dual-drive or hybrid driveline configuration, where an electromechanical transmission is integrated to provide power to both electric and mechanical systems, allowing for seamless operation and charging without altering the vehicle's appearance or control layout, thus maintaining compatibility with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an electrified driveline configuration is implemented in firefighting vehicles, then operational efficiency is improved and downtime is reduced, but significant redesign and operator training are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dual-drive configuration where the electromechanical transmission can dynamically switch between electric drive mode and mechanical drive mode. This dynamic capability allows the vehicle to optimize performance for different operational scenarios while maintaining compatibility with existing firefighting vehicle architectures, thereby improving operational efficiency without requiring complete redesign of the vehicle platform.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an electrified driveline configuration is implemented in firefighting vehicles, then fleet integration is improved, but operator training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electromechanical transmission is designed to provide multiple functions: it can operate as an electric motor drive, a mechanical transmission, or a hybrid of both. This multi-functionality allows existing firefighting vehicle fleets to integrate electric powertrains without requiring complete vehicle replacement, while the automated operation reduces the need for extensive operator training on new control systems.
3Reliability
If high voltage cables are routed through the chassis frame rails, then cable protection is improved, but cable damage risk increases due to corrosion and grounding issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cable supports as intermediary structures that couple to the frame rails and provide dedicated routing paths for high voltage cables. These cable supports act as mediators between the structural frame and the electrical cables, offering protection while preventing direct contact that would cause corrosion or grounding issues. The cable supports extend beneath the frame rails and provide suspended routing that maintains electrical isolation.
4Reliability
If high voltage cables are suspended underneath frame rails, then cable safety is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing system is segmented into discrete cable support modules that can be independently installed and configured. Each cable support is a separate component that couples to the frame rail and provides a defined path for cable routing. This segmentation allows for simplified installation and maintenance compared to integrated routing systems, while still achieving the safety benefits of suspended cable positioning beneath the frame rails.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrified fire fighting vehicle includes a chassis, a first high voltage component, a second high voltage component, a cable support, and a high voltage cable. The chassis includes a frame rail and defines a longitudinal length of the electrified fire fighting vehicle. The first high voltage component is positioned at a first location along the longitudinal length. The second high voltage component is positioned at a second location along the longitudinal length. The cable support is coupled to the frame rail. The cable support extends (a) along at least a portion of the longitudinal length and (b) beneath the frame rail. The high voltage cable provides power between the first location and the second location. At least a portion of the high voltage cable is routed along the cable support such that the portion of the high voltage cable is suspended underneath and routed along the first frame rail.