Modular Electric Vehicle Architecture for Autonomous Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric automobile designs face challenges in accommodating autonomous driving systems efficiently, particularly in terms of equipment placement and wire routing, limiting the ability to manufacture vehicles of different lengths while minimizing electromagnetic noise interference.
Innovation Solution
A modular vehicle structure for electric automobiles, featuring a center module with a battery beneath the cabin, front and rear modules with driving and control units, and sensors placed to reduce electromagnetic noise interference, allowing for easy manufacturing of vehicles of varying lengths by adjusting module configurations and separating motive power components from control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If devices and sensors for autonomous driving are additionally installed in the electric automobile, then autonomous driving capability is improved, but device complexity and wire routing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into modular units (front module, center module, rear module) that can be independently assembled. The autonomous driving control unit is integrated into specific modules, allowing wire routing to be organized within modules rather than spanning the entire vehicle, thereby reducing overall wiring complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular architecture enables universal application across different vehicle configurations. The same module designs can be used in vehicles of various lengths by simply changing the number or arrangement of modules, making the wire routing solution universally applicable without requiring custom routing for each configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle structure is designed to accommodate different vehicle lengths, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but device placement and wire routing become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body is segmented into standardized modules that can be combined in different quantities to achieve various vehicle lengths. The battery is positioned in the center module while control units are placed in front or rear modules, creating a flexible yet systematic arrangement that simplifies manufacturing for different configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the autonomous driving control unit in either the front module or rear module (partial placement) rather than distributing it throughout the vehicle. This partial placement strategy simplifies the overall system design while still achieving the goal of accommodating different vehicle lengths through modular assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If the control unit and sensors are placed near motive power parts, then device integration is improved, but electromagnetic noise interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous driving control unit and sensors are extracted from proximity to high-voltage motive power components and placed in separate front or rear modules. This spatial separation reduces electromagnetic noise interference while the modular design maintains ease of manufacture through standardized integration points.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular architecture acts as an intermediary structure that allows the control unit to be integrated into the vehicle system while maintaining physical distance from electromagnetic noise sources. The module serves as a buffer zone that facilitates connection without direct proximity to high-voltage components.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a vehicle structure of an electric automobile including: a center module having a battery that is accommodated beneath a floor of a vehicle cabin; a front module that is joined to a vehicle front side of the center module; a rear module that is joined to a vehicle rear side of the center module; a driving unit that is provided at one of the front module or the rear module, and that is connected to the battery; and a control unit that is provided at another of the front module or the rear module, and that controls autonomous driving of the vehicle.