Vehicle Driving Device Impact Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid or electric vehicles, the existing configurations for protecting battery and electric power conversion units during collisions are prone to damage from excessive impact forces, leading to potential short circuits and increased vehicle height due to vertical arrangement.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design featuring a driving device with an electric power conversion unit positioned opposite to the impact side, supported by a contact section with an impact attenuating feature, allowing the unit to be placed in front or behind the case, and incorporating a retractable space section to reduce height and absorb impact forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electric power conversion unit is disposed above the battery part in a vertical arrangement, then the impact protection configuration is simplified, but the vehicle height increases and a wide disposition is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement (above-below relationship) to a horizontal arrangement (front-rear relationship) of the electric power conversion unit relative to the battery part. This dimensional change allows the components to be disposed along the vehicle's length rather than height, thereby reducing vehicle height while maintaining protection functionality through the impact attenuating section.
2Reliability
If the electric power conversion unit is disposed in front of the battery part, then the impact protection is improved, but the unit may still receive excessive impact force causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an impact attenuating section positioned between the battery part and the electric power conversion unit. This section is designed to deform during collision to absorb and attenuate impact forces before they reach the electric power conversion unit, thereby protecting the unit's housing and internal components from excessive force while maintaining the front-disposed configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact attenuating section serves as an intermediary element between the battery part and the electric power conversion unit. It mediates the transmission of impact forces by deforming in a controlled manner, reducing the peak forces that would otherwise be directly transmitted to the electric power conversion unit's housing and sensitive components.
3Loss of energy
If the support section extends closer to the receiving section, then the impact attenuation is improved, but the electric power conversion device may be exposed to direct impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different functional characteristics to different sections of the support structure. The impact attenuating section has specific deformation characteristics optimized for energy absorption, while other portions of the support structure maintain rigidity to prevent direct impact exposure. This localized differentiation of mechanical properties allows simultaneous achievement of impact energy absorption and protection of the electric power conversion unit.
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 design effectively reduces the height of the driving device while attenuating impacts to the electric power conversion unit, preventing direct load input and enhancing protection against collisions, while also optimizing space for a wider cabin and better weight balance.
Implementation Method 1
the impact attenuating section may be a bent section that is provided in an intermediate section of the support section and that is plastically deformable by the impact
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle of an embodiment includes a driving device including a rotating electric machine, a case configured to accommodate the rotating electric machine and a PCU that is disposed on a side opposite to a side at which a load is input when the vehicle collides with an object, that is disposed in front of the case and that is configured to supply electric power to the rotating electric machine, a support section that is provided in the driving device and that is configured to come in contact with a vehicle body frame of the vehicle, and an impact attenuating section that is provided on the support section and that is configured to attenuate an impact when the vehicle collides with an object.