Vehicle Enclosure Blocking Member for HV Component Access Restriction

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Solution Overview

Problem

During servicing events, there is a risk of inadvertently contacting high voltage components in electrified vehicle assemblies when removing seals, as existing methods rely on cutting tools that may not effectively prevent access to these components.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a blocking member with interrupted surfaces or a block body into the enclosure of the vehicle assembly, which can be formed in the tray, cover, or both, to impede access and prevent the insertion of cutting tools, thereby safeguarding high voltage components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cutting tool is used to remove seals during servicing, then the seal can be effectively removed, but there is a risk of inadvertently contacting high voltage components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal removalVSAvoidrisk of contacting high voltage components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A blocking member is introduced as an intermediary element between the cutting tool and the high voltage components. This blocking member includes an interrupted surface that physically prevents the cutting tool from contacting the high voltage components while still allowing the seal to be removed. The blocking member acts as a mediator that enables the seal removal operation while simultaneously preventing the harmful contact with high voltage components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member is pre-installed in the enclosure before the seal removal operation. The interrupted surface of the blocking member is positioned in advance to block the path that the cutting tool would take. This preliminary placement of the blocking member ensures that when the seal removal operation is performed, the high voltage components are already protected from potential contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the enclosure is designed with additional blocking members, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during servicingVSAvoidenclosure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is designed with an interrupted surface that provides blocking functionality only at the specific location where high voltage components are present. The blocking member does not completely obstruct the enclosure, but rather provides localized protection where needed. This local quality approach allows the blocking function to be integrated into the existing enclosure structure without requiring complete redesign of the entire enclosure system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member is integrated with the existing enclosure structure, combining the protective function with the enclosure itself. The blocking member can be formed as part of the enclosure or attached to it, merging the safety function with the structural component. This integration reduces the need for separate protective devices and minimizes the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11211655B2Vehicle enclosure for preventing access to high voltage components

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A vehicle assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an enclosure, a high voltage component housed inside the enclosure and a blocking member configured to restrict access to the high voltage component along a path that extends through the enclosure.