Integrated Vehicle Power Unit Layout for Reduced Packaging Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle design occupies excessive space due to the inclusion of essential components like the motor, control module, and transmission mechanism, which are typically disposed within the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A power system is designed with a housing containing distinct chambers for the motor, transmission mechanism, and control module, with a conductive member connecting the control module to both the motor and transmission mechanism, optimizing their spatial arrangement to reduce overall space occupation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the motor, control module, and transmission mechanism are disposed on the vehicle as separate components, then the vehicle can perform power output functions, but the occupied space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower output functionVSAvoidoccupied space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the motor, control module, and transmission mechanism into a single housing structure with distinct chambers. The housing unifies these components into one compact assembly that performs all power output functions while occupying less space than separate component arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control module is positioned within the housing structure, with the conductive member extending through the housing to connect with the motor. This nested arrangement allows the control module to be housed within the same structural envelope as the motor and transmission mechanism, optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the control module is electrically connected to the motor through a conductive member extending through the housing, then electrical connection is achieved, but the housing structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the motor and transmission mechanism, encloses the control module, and acts as a conduit for the conductive member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate connection structures, simplifying the overall design despite the integrated arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If the driving chamber and transmission chamber are disposed on the same side of the control chamber, then space utilization is improved, but the housing becomes more compact which may affect component accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidcomponent accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges the driving chamber and transmission chamber on the same side of the control chamber in a two-dimensional layout optimization. This spatial arrangement maximizes the use of available space within the housing while maintaining appropriate access paths for maintenance and assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4699841A1Power system and automobile
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 CHERY AUTOMOBILE CO LTD
  • EP4699841A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4699841A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4699841A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a power system and a vehicle. The power system includes a housing (1), a motor (2), a control module (3), a transmission mechanism (4), and a conductive member (5), the housing (1) being provided with a driving chamber (101), a transmission chamber (102), and a control chamber (103), wherein a part of the motor (2) is disposed in the driving chamber (101); the transmission mechanism (4) is disposed in the transmission chamber (102); the control module (3) is disposed in the control chamber (103); the motor (2) is drivingly connected to the transmission mechanism (4); the conductive member (5) extends into the control chamber (103) and is electrically connected to the control module (3), and the conductive member (5) further extends into the transmission chamber (102) and is electrically connected to the motor (2). The present disclosure can reduce the occupied space.