High-Voltage Deflector Shield for EV Frontal Collision Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage components in battery-powered electric vehicles are vulnerable to damage during frontal collisions, posing a risk of short circuits and battery shutdown due to their packaging under the vehicle's hood, which complicates access and increases vehicle dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A protection shield formed of rigid metal, such as steel, is attached to the electric drive motor to deflect and shield high-voltage components from contact with other vehicle parts during collisions, featuring a hinged design to absorb and redirect impact forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If high-voltage components are packaged under the hood for easy access, then ease of service is improved, but vulnerability to collision damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A protection shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the high-voltage component and potential impact sources. The shield is attached to the forward end of the electric drive motor, positioning it between collision-prone areas and the high-voltage component, thereby protecting the component while maintaining its accessible location under the hood.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protection packaging is used to shield high-voltage components, then collision protection is improved, but access difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is segmented into two parts: a fixed attachment structure and a movable protective panel. The panel can pivot between a retracted position (allowing easy access) and an extended position (providing collision protection). This segmentation allows the system to provide protection when needed while maintaining accessibility during normal operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hard-to-reach locations are used for high-voltage components, then collision protection is improved, but routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high-voltage component is extracted from hard-to-reach locations and repositioned to an easily accessible location under the hood. The protection function is then extracted and implemented through the movable shield mechanism, separating the protection function from the component location constraints.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If repackaging components in hard-to-reach locations is done, then collision protection is improved, but vehicle dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protection shield is designed as a dynamic component that can pivot between retracted and extended positions. When retracted, it maintains compact vehicle dimensions; when extended, it provides collision protection. This dynamic design allows the system to provide protection without permanently increasing vehicle dimensions.
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 shield effectively minimizes damage to high-voltage components by absorbing and deflecting impact forces, maintaining electrical integrity and preventing shorts, while simplifying component access and reducing vehicle complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a protection shield attached to the forward end of the electric drive motor at a position forward and spaced apart from the high-voltage component, wherein the protection shield is configured to shield and deflect components of the vehicle that are forced in a direction toward the high-voltage component during a frontal collision of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
the upper section is acutely angled relative to the lower section such that the connection section operates as a hinge that permits the upper section to pivot relative to the lower section when contacted by the components of the vehicle that are forced in the direction toward the high-voltage component during the frontal collision
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including a frame supporting an electric drive motor, a high-voltage component attached to a forward end and upper surface of the electric drive motor, and a protection shield attached to the forward end of the electric drive motor at a position forward and spaced apart from the high-voltage component, wherein the protection shield is configured to shield and deflect components of the vehicle that are forced in a direction toward the high-voltage component during a frontal collision of the vehicle.