Hydrogen Tank Mounting Layout for Rear Collision Drive Unit Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for fuel cell vehicles do not adequately protect the motor drive unit from damage during rear collisions, as they often rely on preventing exposure of high voltage sites and may still result in unacceptable damage to the drive system, especially when multiple hydrogen gas containers are involved.
Innovation Solution
A container holding mechanism with a moving unit that positions the driving mechanism to avoid hydrogen gas containers during a rear collision by utilizing a tank mounting frame with a first fragile portion that deforms preferentially, allowing the driving mechanism to be pushed into a predetermined gap, thereby reducing contact with the hydrogen gas containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the driving mechanism is positioned close to hydrogen gas containers to save space, then vehicle space utilization is improved, but the risk of damage to the driving mechanism during rear collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The space between the driving mechanism and hydrogen gas containers is segmented into a predetermined gap, creating a dedicated safety zone that physically separates the driving mechanism from potential collision hazards while maintaining efficient space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The tank mounting frame is designed with a first fragile portion that is predetermined to deform during rear collision, creating a cushioning effect that pushes the driving mechanism into the predetermined gap before it can contact the hydrogen gas containers
2Reliability
If a rigid structure is used to protect the driving mechanism, then protection capability is improved, but structural deformation and impact transmission increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tank mounting frame is designed with non-uniform structural properties: the first fragile portion has lower strength and is positioned to deform preferentially, while other portions maintain higher strength for overall structural integrity, creating localized deformation zones that protect critical components
Solution Approach 2:
The first fragile portion is designed in advance to deform during collision, creating a cushioning effect that absorbs impact energy and pushes the driving mechanism into the predetermined gap, preventing direct contact with hydrogen gas containers
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 solution effectively minimizes damage to the driving mechanism by allowing it to move away from the hydrogen gas containers during a collision, maintaining a low impact on the drive system and enhancing safety by reducing structural deformation and potential damage.
Implementation Method 1
a tank mounting frame (40) supporting the hydrogen gas containers (31 to 33); and a moving unit that moves the driving mechanism (10) pushed out by the first hydrogen gas container (31) in collision in such a manner that the driving mechanism (10) avoids the second hydrogen gas container (32) and the third hydrogen gas container (33)
Data Source
AI summary
A container holding mechanism is applied to a fuel cell vehicle including a driving mechanism capable of driving rear wheels and disposed on a side of the rear wheels. The container holding mechanism includes a first hydrogen gas, a second hydrogen gas, a third hydrogen gas container, and a moving unit. The first hydrogen gas container is disposed behind a rear drive shaft. The second hydrogen gas container is disposed in front of the rear drive shaft. The third hydrogen gas container disposed in parallel with the second hydrogen gas container in front of the rear drive shaft. The moving unit is configured to move the driving mechanism pushed out by the first hydrogen gas container in collision in such a manner that the driving mechanism avoids the second hydrogen gas container and the third hydrogen gas container.