Power Storage Device Rear Wheel Placement

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing power storage devices in hybrid electric vehicles face restrictions in arrangement due to the longitudinal size, which can lead to difficulties in placement and increased vulnerability to collision damage, particularly when the cable protrudes sideways or is positioned in a way that restricts flexibility in design.

Innovation Solution

A power storage device with a high-voltage and low-voltage connection unit configuration, where the high-voltage unit is arranged on the front side and the low-voltage unit on the rear side of the vehicle, allowing for increased flexibility in placement and reduced susceptibility to collision damage by positioning at least part of the device between rear wheels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the power storage device is arranged with its longitudinal direction parallel to the width direction of the vehicle, then the cable can protrude sideways for connection, but the arrangement flexibility is restricted and the device becomes vulnerable to collision damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable connection accessibilityVSAvoidarrangement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation of the power storage device from longitudinal alignment with the vehicle width direction to lateral alignment perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. This dimensional reorientation allows the device to be positioned in the lateral space between rear wheels, improving arrangement flexibility while protecting the cable connection area from collision damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the power storage device is arranged with its longitudinal direction parallel to the width direction of the vehicle, then the cable can protrude sideways for connection, but the device cannot be arranged without difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable connection accessibilityVSAvoidarrangement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reorients the power storage device laterally perpendicular to the vehicle width direction, utilizing the lateral space between rear wheels. This dimensional change simplifies arrangement by providing a clear installation path and avoiding conflicts with other vehicle components, while still allowing cable connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of arranging the device longitudinally and having the cable protrude sideways, the patent inverts the approach by arranging the device laterally with the cable protruding forward or backward. This inversion resolves arrangement difficulties while maintaining connection accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the power storage device is arranged with its longitudinal direction parallel to the width direction of the vehicle, then the cable can protrude sideways for connection, but the device becomes vulnerable to collision damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable connection accessibilityVSAvoidcollision damage vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the power storage device in the lateral dimension between rear wheels, perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. This repositioning places the device in a protected zone that is less susceptible to collision forces from the sides, while the cable connection remains accessible through the rear or front of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

By positioning the power storage device between the rear wheels in a protected lateral location, the patent provides beforehand protection against collision damage. The device is placed in a zone that is shielded by the vehicle's structural components and less exposed to external impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS8205700B2Power storage device

Publication Date: 2012.06.26 YAZAKI CORP

AI summary

A power storage device is mounted on a rear portion of a vehicle. The power storage device includes a high-voltage terminal and a low-voltage connector having a lower voltage than the high-voltage terminal. The high-voltage terminal is arranged on a front side in the vehicle. The low-voltage connector is arranged on a rear side in the vehicle.