Vehicle Lower Hinge Positioning for Battery Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lower section structures do not adequately protect battery units from interference during side collisions, as the lower hinge can intrude towards the battery unit, causing potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle lower section structure positions the lower hinge further towards the vehicle upper side than the battery unit, with a sliding door and a shock absorbing member disposed to absorb collision loads, preventing interference and enhancing protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the lower hinge is positioned at the conventional location (lower side), then the sliding door structure is compact, but the lower hinge intrudes toward the battery unit during side collision causing interference and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict between the lower hinge and battery unit by changing the positioning dimension from horizontal (vehicle width direction) to vertical (vehicle height direction). The lower hinge is positioned at a height above the battery unit's upper surface, allowing both components to coexist in the same horizontal footprint without interference during side collisions.
2Reliability
If the lower hinge is positioned higher to avoid battery unit interference, then collision protection is improved, but the sliding door structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lower hinge structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the sliding door articulation mechanism and a collision protection element. By positioning it above the battery unit, it automatically functions as a protective barrier during side collisions without requiring additional dedicated protection components.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lower section structure includes a battery unit that is disposed below a floor panel, a sliding door that is provided to a side section of a vehicle body, and a lower hinge that is attached to a lower portion of the sliding door, that supports the sliding door with respect to the vehicle body such that the sliding door is capable of sliding in a vehicle front-rear direction, and that is disposed further toward a vehicle upper side than the battery unit.