Modular EV Impact Structure for Battery and Cabin Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle design inefficiencies arise from the complex interconnections between vehicle bodies and platforms, making it difficult to maintain safety features across various configurations, especially with the integration of electric vehicle technologies which require adaptable safety systems to protect both passengers and functional components like batteries during impacts.
Innovation Solution
A modular electric vehicle platform with tunable energy absorption structures, including upper and lower load paths with crush and bending zones, and deflection elements, allowing for adjustable impact energy management and protection of the passenger compartment and battery compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional vehicle design with interconnected body and platform is used, then structural strength is improved, but design flexibility and adaptability to different configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle structure is divided into separate body and platform components with modular energy absorption structures. The energy absorption structures are designed as independent modules that can be selectively applied to different vehicle configurations, allowing the platform to accommodate various body types while maintaining safety performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy absorption structures are designed with universal application capability across multiple vehicle configurations. The modular design allows the same platform architecture to support different body styles (sedan, SUV, truck) by simply changing the body module while keeping the safety-critical energy absorption structures standardized.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular vehicle platform is used, then adaptability to different configurations is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorption structures incorporate localized geometric features and material properties optimized for specific impact scenarios. By varying local geometries (such as crush zone dimensions, wall thicknesses, and structural contours) rather than redesigning entire components, the system achieves configuration adaptability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Reliability
If energy absorption structures are optimized for specific configurations, then impact protection is improved, but applicability to other configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorption structures incorporate tunable geometric parameters that can be adjusted based on vehicle configuration requirements. Elements such as crush zone lengths, wall thicknesses, and structural dimensions can be dynamically optimized for different impact scenarios and vehicle types, allowing the same base design to provide reliable protection across multiple configurations.
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
The modular platform effectively absorbs and redirects impact energy, maintaining passenger safety and minimizing damage to functional components across different vehicle configurations, while reducing weight and maintaining efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The body of the upper energy absorption unit has a crush zone such that when an impact force is introduced the crush zone compacts a predetermined distance while absorbing energy from the impact force
Implementation Method 2
the bending zone is configured to bend and deflect subsequent energy not absorbed by the designated crush zone
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle platform with a variety of impact safety features including front and rear impact features as well as side impact features designed to protect the passenger compartment as well as the battery compartment and vehicle chassis components. Some features may include crumple zone components, deflectors and modular energy absorption units.