Vehicle Motor Unit Mounting Layout for Collision Load Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles equipped with electric motor units, head-on collisions cause the power generation unit to interfere with the drive unit, leading to potential local interference and impact transmission to brake pedals, complicating the structure and increasing weight with additional components for cushioning.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle mounting structure features a drive unit and power generation unit individually mounted on the vehicle body, with the drive unit positioned behind the power generation unit, incorporating interference portions lower than the rotation shaft centers to manage collision loads and prevent local interference by dispersing the collision load effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional structures are attached to the drive unit to provide cushioning during head-on collision, then the interference between the upper portion of the drive unit and other components is prevented, but the number of components increases, weight increases, and structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of local interferenceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the harmful interference between the power generation unit and drive unit during collision as a beneficial cushioning mechanism. By positioning the drive unit behind the power generation unit with a narrower clearance in the interference portion, the power generation unit naturally absorbs collision energy and prevents the drive unit from rotating and interfering with other components, eliminating the need for additional cushioning structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The power generation unit serves dual functions: normal power generation operation and collision cushioning. During head-on collision, it acts as a protective barrier that absorbs impact energy and prevents the drive unit from rotating clockwise, thereby protecting other components without requiring separate protective structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the drive unit is positioned behind the power generation unit with narrower clearance in the interference portion, then collision loads are effectively dispersed and local interference is prevented, but the clearance space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision load dispersionVSAvoidclearance space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different clearance specifications to different portions of the drive unit and power generation unit. The clearance is narrower specifically in the interference portion (lower than rotation shaft centers) where collision occurs, while other portions maintain normal clearance. This localized approach effectively disperses collision loads without unnecessarily reducing overall clearance space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4309936B1Structure for mounting electric unit to vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4309936B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4309936B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4309936B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided is a structure for mounting an electric motor unit 1 to a vehicle, the electric motor unit 1 being provided with a drive unit 10 including a drive motor 11 and an electric power generation unit 20 including an electric power generation motor 21. The drive unit 10 and the electric power generation unit 20 are individually mounted to a vehicle body. The drive unit 10 is installed backward of the electric power generation unit 20. The drive motor unit 10 and the electric power generation unit 20 have an interference portion C lower than the center of a rotation shaft 11a of the drive motor 10 and the center of a rotation shaft 21c of the electric power generation motor 21. As appreciated from a clearance CL, the interference portion C is narrower in a clearance between the drive unit 10 and the electric power generation unit 20 than portions other than the interference portion C.