Vehicle Power Unit Room Structure with Width-Direction Overlap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle power unit room configurations face challenges in suppressing the increase in length of the power supply route and enlargement in the vehicle front-rear direction due to the disposition of motors, power supply sections, and compressors.

Innovation Solution

The motor and compressor are positioned to overlap in the vehicle width direction, with the power supply section placed above the compressor, reducing the required space in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the compressor is attached to the motor to function as a mass damper, while being supported by a cross member to absorb vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the motor and compressor are disposed overlapping in the vehicle front-rear direction, then the space utilization is improved, but the power supply route length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower unit room space utilizationVSAvoidpower supply route length

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from front-rear direction stacking to width-direction stacking with vertical layering. The motor and compressor are arranged adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction, with the power supply section positioned above the compressor in the vehicle vertical direction, creating a three-dimensional spatial arrangement that simultaneously optimizes both space utilization and power supply route length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the power supply section is disposed far from the compressor, then the motor and compressor can be arranged optimally, but the power supply route length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor and compressor arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidpower supply route length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply section is positioned in the vehicle vertical direction above the compressor, rather than in the front-rear direction. This vertical arrangement creates a short power supply route while maintaining flexibility in arranging the motor and compressor in the width direction for optimal spacing and maintenance access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Length of stationary object

If the compressor is disposed at the vehicle lower side, then the power supply route length is reduced, but the vibration and collision loads on the compressor increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply route lengthVSAvoidvibration and collision loads on compressor

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a support member as an intermediary between the compressor and the power unit room. This support member absorbs vibrations and reduces collision loads on the compressor, allowing the compressor to be positioned in the vehicle lower side while protecting it from harmful mechanical stresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If the power unit room is enlarged in the vehicle front-rear direction, then more space is available for component arrangement, but the overall vehicle length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower unit room spaceVSAvoidvehicle front-rear length

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the vehicle width direction and vertical direction for component arrangement instead of extending in the front-rear direction. By stacking the power supply section above the compressor and arranging the motor adjacent to the compressor in the width direction, the power unit room maintains a compact front-rear length while providing sufficient space for all components through three-dimensional spatial optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reduces the length of the power supply route and prevents enlargement of the power unit room, while also minimizing vibration and collision loads on the compressor, ensuring stable support for the power supply section.

Implementation Method 1

the compressor is attached to the motor to function as a mass damper, while being supported by a cross member to absorb vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11524561B2Vehicle power unit room structure

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A vehicle power unit room structure is provided including a motor that is disposed inside a power unit room and that is configured to transmit drive force to a drive wheel, a compressor that is disposed adjacent to the motor in a vehicle width direction so as to overlap with the motor as viewed along the vehicle width direction, and a power supply section that is configured to supply power supplied from a power source to the motor and the compressor, and that is disposed at a vehicle upper side of the compressor so as to overlap with the compressor as viewed along a vehicle vertical direction.