Vehicle Drive Unit Inverter Step Layout for Narrower Motor Harnesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex layout in the engine compartment of hybrid vehicles due to the disposition of motors, generators, and inverters reduces the available space, hindering the mountability of drive units.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle drive unit design featuring an internal combustion engine with an electromotive unit on one side, an inverter above it, and harnesses connected to AC terminal blocks on recessed steps of the inverter, allowing the harnesses to extend downward and outward, reducing their width and improving mountability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the three-phase AC harness bends in the vehicle left-right direction to connect the inverter and motors, then the electrical connection is achieved, but the space utilization in the engine compartment deteriorates and mountability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the routing dimension of the harness from horizontal (left-right bending) to vertical (downward extension). The AC terminal block is positioned at the lower end of the inverter, allowing harnesses to extend downward and then outward to the motors, utilizing the vertical space above the motors rather than consuming horizontal space in the left-right direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The AC terminal block serves as an intermediary component that mediates the connection between the inverter and motors. By positioning this terminal block at the lower end of the inverter and routing harnesses through it, the patent creates an optimized connection path that reduces space consumption while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
2Volume of moving object
If the inverter is disposed above the electromotive unit, then vertical space is utilized, but the harness width in the vehicle left-right direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the AC terminal block to the lower end of the inverter, enabling harnesses to extend downward first and then outward to the motors. This dimensional change in routing path reduces the left-right width of the harnesses while maintaining the vertical placement of the inverter above the electromotive unit.
Data Source
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AI summary
A drive unit includes an internal combustion engine (21) disposed in an engine compartment (10), a first electric motor (31) and a second electric motor (33), and an inverter (27) disposed above an electromotive unit (23). The drive unit has: a first harness (41) that connects the inverter and the first electric motor; a second harness (42) that connects the inverter and the second electric motor; a step portion (51) formed so as to be recessed on one side or the other side, in the left-right direction, of the upper end of the inverter; and a first terminal block (61) and a second terminal block (62) disposed in the step portion. The first harness and the second harness respectively extend downward from the first terminal block and the second terminal block while extending outward, and are respectively connected to upper parts of the first electric motor and the second electric motor.