Electric Motorcycle Wiring Member Enclosure Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric motorcycles with AC motor power generation require protection of high-voltage wiring members connecting the inverter and motor to prevent user access and ensure operational reliability.

Innovation Solution

The wiring member is enclosed within a space defined by the battery case, inverter case, and motor unit case, with strategic placement and design features that prevent exposure and facilitate cooling, while also reducing the vehicle's size and lowering the center of gravity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wiring member is exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to user access risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to wiring memberVSAvoidmotor operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the motor assembly into separate functional modules: the motor unit case containing the motor, the battery case containing the battery, and the inverter case containing the inverter. The wiring member is routed through dedicated pathways between these modules, allowing maintenance access without exposing the wiring to direct user contact. This segmentation enables independent access to different components while protecting critical wiring connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate protective structures including the inverter case and battery case that act as mediators between the wiring member and the external environment. These cases provide physical barriers and structured pathways that guide wiring connections while preventing direct user access, thus maintaining reliability without completely isolating the wiring from maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the wiring member is protected by enclosing cases, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring member protectionVSAvoidcase structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the inverter case and battery case to serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support for the motor assembly, act as protective enclosures for sensitive components, define mounting locations for the motor unit case, and create protected pathways for wiring members. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated protective structures, thereby limiting complexity increase while maintaining reliable wiring protection.

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

3Volume of moving object

If the cases are compactly arranged, then volume is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor assembly volumeVSAvoidcase assembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the motor assembly into modular cases (motor unit case, battery case, inverter case) that can be manufactured and assembled separately. Each case is designed with standardized mounting interfaces and defined spatial relationships, allowing for compact arrangement while maintaining manufacturability. The segmentation enables each component to be produced with standard tolerances and then precisely positioned during assembly using the defined interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively protects the wiring member from user access and potential damage, while maintaining operational efficiency and compact vehicle design.

Implementation Method 1

an inverter for generating an AC current by electric power supplied from the battery to the inverter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a motor for generating driving power by an AC current supplied to the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force generation: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP2657116B1Electric motorcycle
Publication Date: 2016.09.28 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP2657116B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2657116B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2657116B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric motorcycle (1) of the present invention comprises: a battery (14) for storing electric power; an inverter (18) for generating an AC current by the electric power supplied from the battery (14) to the inverter; a motor (21) for generating driving power by the AC current generated by the inverter (18) and supplied to the motor; a wiring member (27) for electrically connecting the inverter (18) to the motor and flowing a current to drive the motor; a battery case (15) for accommodating the battery (14); an inverter case (19) for accommodating the inverter (18); and a motor unit case (9) for accommodating the motor (21), wherein the wiring member (27) is placed in a space (26) defined by the battery case (15), the inverter case (19) and the motor unit case (9).