PHEV Battery and Exhaust Layout for Flat-Floor Minivans
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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, as the installation of an exhaust pipe under the floor can obstruct this design.
Innovation Solution
The exhaust pipe is positioned on the side of the battery in the vehicle width direction, with the battery offset towards one side and the muffler disposed rearward, allowing for a flat floor and spacious passenger compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the exhaust pipe is installed under the floor panel to guide exhaust gas rearward, then the exhaust system function is achieved, but the floor height increases and the passenger compartment space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is positioned asymmetrically with its center of gravity offset toward one side of the vehicle width direction, and the exhaust pipe is disposed on the opposite side, creating an asymmetric layout that resolves the spatial conflict between the exhaust system and passenger compartment space
2Quantity of substance
If a large battery is installed to provide sufficient electric power for the plug-in hybrid system, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the space for passenger compartment and cargo area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is positioned in the width direction of the vehicle with its center of gravity offset to one side, utilizing the lateral dimension rather than occupying only the longitudinal space under the floor, thereby accommodating large battery capacity while preserving passenger compartment volume
3Stability of the object's composition
If the battery center of gravity is positioned at the vehicle center for balanced weight distribution, then the vehicle stability is improved, but the exhaust pipe installation space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The battery center of gravity is intentionally offset from the vehicle center toward one side, and the exhaust pipe is positioned on the opposite side, creating a balanced asymmetric layout that achieves both vehicle stability and exhaust system functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric positioning of the battery and exhaust pipe creates a spatial mediator effect where the offset battery configuration provides the necessary clearance for the exhaust pipe routing while maintaining overall vehicle balance
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 enables the vehicle to accommodate a large battery without raising the floor, ensuring a spacious interior and balanced weight distribution.
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
an inverter configured to drive the motor
Implementation Method 3
a motor, a power transmission mechanism configured to transmit rotational power of the engine and the motor to front wheels
Implementation Method 4
an engine and a drive motor as its drive sources
Implementation Method 5
an engine configured to burn fuel to generate drive force
Implementation Method 6
a power transmission mechanism configured to transmit rotational power of the engine and the motor to front wheels
Data Source
AI summary
A minivan-type plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes a battery, a fuel tank, and an exhaust pipe, which are disposed under a floor panel. The battery is disposed so as to extend over both the right area and the left area of the vehicle. The center of gravity of the battery is offset toward a first side in the vehicle width direction from the center in the vehicle width direction. The exhaust pipe is disposed on a second side of the battery, opposite to the first side, in the vehicle width direction. The exhaust pipe is disposed to a side of the battery.