Vehicle Inverter Layout Against Side Member Collision Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle inverters are at risk of dielectric breakdown due to interference with side members during vehicle collisions, as the deformation of low rigidity side members can short-circuit high-voltage terminal connections.
Innovation Solution
The in-vehicle structure incorporates a side member with both low and high rigidity portions in the front-rear direction, where the inverter's high-voltage terminal connections are positioned to avoid overlap with the low rigidity portion, ensuring they overlap with the high rigidity portion instead, thus preventing interference and potential short-circuiting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the inverter is arranged near the side member to save space, then the space utilization is improved, but the inverter is at risk of dielectric breakdown due to interference with the deformed side member during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The side member is designed with different rigidity characteristics at different locations: a low rigidity portion for energy absorption and a high rigidity portion for structural support. The inverter is specifically positioned to overlap with the high rigidity portion, ensuring that critical components are located where structural integrity is maintained during deformation events.
Solution Approach 2:
The problem is solved by considering the front-rear direction overlap dimension. By ensuring that the inverter's position in the front-rear direction overlaps with the high rigidity portion rather than the low rigidity portion, the design creates a spatial separation between the deforming region and the sensitive electrical components, preventing dielectric breakdown while maintaining compact arrangement.
2Loss of energy
If the side member has a low rigidity portion to attenuate collision energy, then the collision energy absorption is improved, but the deformed low rigidity portion interferes with the inverter causing dielectric breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The side member incorporates distinct regions with different rigidity properties: the low rigidity portion (10a) is specifically designed to deform and absorb collision energy, while the high rigidity portion (10b) maintains structural integrity. By positioning the inverter to overlap with the high rigidity portion in the front-rear direction, the design ensures that energy absorption occurs in a region that does not interfere with sensitive electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The side member is segmented into functionally distinct portions: a low rigidity portion for energy attenuation and a high rigidity portion for structural support and component protection. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, with the low rigidity portion deforming to absorb energy while the high rigidity portion maintains a stable environment for the inverter.
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 prevents dielectric breakdown of the inverter during collisions by ensuring the high-voltage terminal connections do not interfere with the deforming side member, maintaining insulation and protecting the inverter from damage.
Implementation Method 1
The side member has a low rigidity portion, and attenuates energy by deformation at the time of a vehicle collision
Data Source
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AI summary
The in-vehicle structure of an inverter includes an inverter and a side member. The inverter has a first high-voltage bus bar whose position in the front-rear direction of the vehicle does not overlap with a low rigidity portion and overlaps with a high rigidity portion.