Vehicular Power Control Device Protector Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicular instrument mounting structures, such as those disclosed in Patent Documents, face challenges in preventing interference and damage to power control devices during collisions, particularly due to the positional relationship between auxiliary batteries and power control devices, which can lead to broken circuits and inadequate insulation from high voltage components.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular instrument mounting structure that includes a protector fastened to both the power control device and the transaxle using screw members, providing protection by dispersing impact loads and preventing movement of the power control device, while allowing for easy mounting and removal, and using a material like heat rolled steel for the protector to absorb and deform impact loads effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the auxiliary battery is mounted in the vicinity of the power control device to save space, then the space utilization is improved, but the risk of interference and damage during collision increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidcollision damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protector made of heat rolled steel is introduced as an intermediary component between the auxiliary battery and the power control device. The protector is fastened to both the power control device case and the transaxle, creating a protective barrier that absorbs and disperses impact loads during collision, preventing direct contact and damage to the power control device while allowing close mounting of the auxiliary battery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the power control device is mounted closer to the front to improve layout efficiency, then the layout efficiency is improved, but the vulnerability to impact from the auxiliary battery increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayout efficiencyVSAvoidprotection against impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protector is pre-installed and fastened to the power control device case and transaxle before collision occurs. This preliminary protective measure ensures that when the auxiliary battery moves forward during impact, the protector is already in position to absorb and disperse the load, preventing damage to the power control device circuits and maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid mounting structure is used to secure the power control device, then the mounting stability is improved, but the ability to absorb impact load decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidimpact load absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protector is made of heat rolled steel, changing the material parameter from typical rigid mounting materials to a material that combines strength with ductility. This allows the protector to maintain mounting stability through secure fastening while simultaneously absorbing impact loads through controlled deformation, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and impact absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 proposed structure effectively prevents damage to the power control device by dispersing impact loads and ensuring rapid discharge and insulation, reducing the risk of circuit breakage and maintaining the integrity of the high voltage components during collisions.

Implementation Method 1

using a material like heat rolled steel for the protector to absorb and deform impact loads effectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2711221B1Vehicular instrument mounting structure
Publication Date: 2016.07.27 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2711221B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2711221B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2711221B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(C)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a vehicular instrument mounting structure in which an auxiliary battery (25) is mounted so as to be as high as a power control device (19), for protecting the power control device 10 by a protector (20) even when the auxiliary battery (25) interferes with the power control device (10). The power control device (10) is fastened to the upper surface of a transaxle (16) by a screw (13) via a mounting foot provided in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The protector (20) for protecting a corner of the power control device (10) is fastened to the power control device (10) and the transaxle (16) by screws (14) for a power control device fastening part (21) and a transaxle fastening part (22). The power control device (10) has a power cable (11) for supplying power and a discharger (12) for rapid discharge at a time of emergency.