Minivan PHEV Layout for Large Battery and Flat Floor Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minivan-type plug-in hybrid electric vehicles face challenges in accommodating a large battery while maintaining a low, flat floor to ensure a spacious passenger compartment, and existing designs often confuse users about charging and refueling ports.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle integrates the engine compartment, power sources, and high-voltage components beneath the floor, positions the battery and fuel tank under the floor, and places charging ports on the side surfaces forward of the front door, with distinct locations for AC and DC charging ports to avoid confusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large battery is installed in a minivan-type plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, then the electric power storage capacity is improved, but the floor height increases and the passenger compartment space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is relocated from the traditional under-floor position to the engine compartment, utilizing the front-rear dimension of the vehicle. This spatial reconfiguration allows the battery to be positioned in the engine compartment while maintaining a low floor height, thereby preserving passenger compartment space while accommodating the large battery capacity required for plug-in hybrid operation
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's powertrain components are segmented and redistributed: the engine remains in the engine compartment while the battery is separated and positioned in the front-rear direction of the engine compartment, and the motor is integrated with the transmission. This segmentation allows optimized spatial arrangement of each component to resolve the conflict between battery size and passenger space
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging ports (AC and DC) are provided in the same location, then charging versatility is improved, but user confusion between charging and refueling ports increases
Solution Approach 1:
The AC charging port and DC charging port are positioned asymmetrically at different locations on the vehicle - the AC charging port is located on the left side surface while the DC charging port is located on the right side surface. This asymmetric arrangement provides clear spatial differentiation between the two charging functions, eliminating user confusion while maintaining charging versatility
Solution Approach 2:
Different charging ports are assigned to different local positions on the vehicle body based on their functional characteristics. The AC charging port is positioned on one side surface while the DC charging port is positioned on the opposite side surface, creating distinct local access points that prevent operational confusion
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
This configuration allows for a spacious passenger compartment with a flat floor and reduces the likelihood of user confusion between charging and refueling ports, enabling seamless operation of sliding doors and efficient charging/refueling.
Implementation Method 1
a vehicle on-board charger configured to convert AC power supplied from outside of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle into DC power and charge the battery with the DC power
Implementation Method 2
a converter including a first charging port configured to be connected to an AC power supply, and configured to convert a voltage of electric power supplied from the battery
Implementation Method 3
an inverter configured to drive the motor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A minivan-type plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine and a vehicle on-board unit disposed in an engine compartment. The vehicle on-board unit includes a first motor-generator, a second motor-generator, a power control unit, a power split mechanism, and a speed reduction mechanism. A first charging port is disposed on a first side surface or a second side surface of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle so as to be positioned forward of a front door of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.