Vehicle Exterior Layout for Charging Port and Sensor Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing exterior structure of electric vehicles poses a risk of damage to sensor units for automated driving due to proximity with charging ports, as charging connectors and cables may accidentally contact the sensors during external charging.
Innovation Solution
The exterior structure of the vehicle positions the charging port below the sensor unit, preventing contact between the charging connector or cable and the sensor unit, and allows for a compact wiring space by routing common wiring in the vicinity of both components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor unit is provided to protrude outside the vehicle from the outer panel to secure a wide visual field, then the horizontal viewing angle is improved, but the risk of damage from contact with charging connector or cable increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by changing the spatial arrangement from horizontal proximity to vertical separation. The sensor unit is positioned to protrude forward from the outer panel to achieve wide viewing angle, while the charging port is positioned below the sensor unit on the outer panel. This vertical dimension separation ensures that even when the sensor protrudes, the charging connector cannot contact it during plugging/unplugging operations or when the charging cable moves due to external forces.
2Device complexity
If the charging port is disposed in the vicinity of the sensor unit to save space, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the sensor unit deteriorates due to potential contact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains simple exterior structure by disposing both the sensor unit and charging port on the outer panel, utilizing the vertical dimension to separate them. The charging port is specifically positioned below the sensor unit, creating a safe vertical distance that prevents contact damage while keeping both components accessible on the same exterior surface for ease of manufacture and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer panel serves as an intermediary structure that hosts both the sensor unit and charging port at different vertical positions. This arrangement allows both components to be accessible on the exterior while the vertical separation on the panel surface acts as a protective mediator that prevents direct contact between the charging connector and the sensor unit.
Data Source
AI summary
An exterior structure of a vehicle includes a charging port for external charging and a sensor unit for automated driving. The sensor unit is provided on at least one surface of a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface of the vehicle, and is provided to protrude outside the vehicle from the surface. The charging port is provided below the sensor unit.