Vehicle Inverter Support Bracket That Bends Under Side Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric vehicles, large inverters installed between seats aligned along the vehicle width direction are at risk of being caught between seats during a side impact, leading to potential damage and failure due to large loads applied by the seats.
Innovation Solution
A support structure featuring a bracket with leg portions that can bend outward or inward in the vehicle width direction, allowing the inverter to tilt and avoid being caught between seats during a side impact, thereby reducing the risk of large loads being applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inverter is positioned between seats aligned along the vehicle width direction, then the inverter can be installed in the passenger compartment, but the inverter may be caught between the seats and receive a large load from the seats during a side impact on the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket employs a pair of leg portions with middle parts formed to be easily bent, transforming the static support structure into a dynamic one. During normal operation, the bracket maintains a stable horizontal position, but during side impact, the leg portions can bend outward or inward to allow the inverter to tilt and avoid being caught between the seats, thus resolving the contradiction between installation convenience and impact protection
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket's leg portions are designed with specific geometric parameters that allow them to bend at controlled locations. The middle parts of the leg portions are formed with reduced cross-sectional area or increased flexibility, enabling them to deform under impact loads while maintaining structural integrity during normal use, thereby protecting the inverter from large loads during side impact
2Stability of the object's composition
If the bracket supports the high voltage component in a horizontal position above the floor, then the component is properly positioned, but the component may still be caught between the seats during side impact
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket transitions from a static horizontal support to a dynamic structure capable of tilting during side impact. The leg portions are designed to bend and allow the inverter to tilt away from the horizontal position when subjected to impact forces, preventing the inverter from being caught between the seats while maintaining proper positioning during normal operation
3Temperature
If the floor portion has an opening through which the bottom surface of the high voltage component is exposed, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but the structural integrity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The floor portion is segmented by introducing an opening that exposes the bottom surface of the inverter. This segmentation allows cooling air to flow through and improve heat dissipation while the overall bracket structure maintains sufficient structural integrity through the distributed support provided by the leg portions and the remaining material
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 support structure effectively prevents the inverter from being caught between seats and reduces the likelihood of receiving large loads during a side impact, ensuring the inverter remains functional and secure.
Implementation Method 1
middle parts of the pair of leg portions are formed so as to be easily bent outward or inward in the vehicle width direction. When a load is applied to the bracket due to movement of the seats during a side impact on the vehicle, the pair of leg portions bend
Data Source
AI summary
A support structure for supporting a flat inverter located between seats aligned along the vehicle width direction is provided. A bracket supports the inverter in a horizontal position above a floor tunnel of a floor between the seats in a passenger compartment such that it is spaced apart from the floor tunnel. The bracket has a pair of rear leg portions aligned along the vehicle width direction. Middle parts of the pair of rear leg portions are formed so as to be easily bent outward or inward in the vehicle width direction. When a load is applied to the bracket due to movement of the seats during a side impact on the vehicle, the pair of rear leg portions bend, and the horizontal position of the inverter is disrupted.