Inverter Protector Notch and Protrusion Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protection structures for in-vehicle appliances in engine compartments, such as inverters, face challenges in balancing mounting operability and protection performance, particularly during collisions, where conventional metal plate protectors mounted with multiple bolts are inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A protection structure featuring a protrusion and fixation mechanism where the protector covers the corner portion of the in-vehicle appliance, with a protrusion abutting a notch and being fixed via a single bolt, enhancing mounting ease while dispersing impact loads through multiple contact points, including a trapezoidal recess and columnar protrusion for additional stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If multiple bolts are used to mount metal plate protectors, then protection performance is improved, but mounting operability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection performanceVSAvoidmounting operability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protector is divided into a main body portion and a protrusion portion that extends from it. The protrusion is separately formed with a notch, allowing the protector to be segmented into functional zones that achieve both strong protection and easy mounting with minimal fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the protector main body and the in-vehicle appliance corner. It provides a mounting interface (with the notch) that enables secure attachment using fewer bolts, thus improving mounting operability while maintaining protection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a simple protector design is used, then mounting operability is improved, but protection performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting operabilityVSAvoidprotection performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protector employs local quality by concentrating structural features at critical locations: the protrusion with notch at the mounting location provides easy attachment, while the main body portion provides comprehensive corner coverage. Each zone has optimized properties for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The protector combines different structural elements (main body portion and protrusion portion with notch) into a composite structure that integrates both mounting simplicity and protection strength, achieving multiple functions in a unified design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS8893843B2Protection structure and electric vehicle

Publication Date: 2014.11.25 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A protection structure is equipped with a protrusion a protector, and a protector fixation portion. An in-vehicle appliance is equipped with a corner portion, a first face, and a second face that the first and the second faces are adjacent to the corner portion. The protrusion is provided on the second face of the in-vehicle appliance. The protector covers the corner portion, equipped with a first portion and a second portion which the faces are opposed to the first face and the second face respectively, and equipped with a notch at an edge of the second portion thereof. The protrusion abuts on an edge of the notch. The protector fixation portion is provided on the first face of the in-vehicle appliance, and the protector is fixed to the in-vehicle appliance through the protector fixation portion.