Vertical Electrical Apparatus Arrangement for Electric Vehicle Space Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional arrangement structures for electrical apparatuses in electric automobiles do not effectively utilize space, leading to inefficiencies in housing multiple components and inadequate protection during collisions.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement structure involves positioning specific electrical apparatuses, such as the charger, voltage converter, and battery heater, in a tapered configuration within the vehicle body to optimize space usage, with a frame body that retains these components vertically and includes a reinforcing plate with convex parts to disperse collision loads, and a sub-frame that allows the steering shaft to move downward during a collision, preventing pinching and ensuring the apparatuses' protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical apparatuses are arranged in the housing space at the front part of the vehicle body, then the apparatuses can be protected during collision, but the space utilization is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional horizontal arrangement of electrical apparatuses to a vertical arrangement overlapping in the vertical direction. This dimensional change allows effective utilization of the housing space while maintaining collision protection, as the apparatuses are positioned to form a tapered shape towards the front of the vehicle body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement where specific electrical apparatuses positioned more downwards than a predetermined position are disposed with shorter length in the front/rear direction or width direction. This creates a tapered configuration that optimizes space utilization while ensuring protection during collision.
2Reliability
If electrical apparatuses are arranged conventionally in the housing space, then protection during collision is provided, but space savings cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging electrical apparatuses to overlap in the vertical direction rather than horizontally, the patent achieves both collision protection and space savings. The vertical arrangement allows the apparatuses to form a tapered shape, effectively utilizing the narrow housing space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different arrangement strategies to different apparatuses based on their positions. Specifically, apparatuses positioned more downwards than a predetermined position are disposed with shorter length in the front/rear or width direction, creating a tapered configuration that optimizes both protection and space utilization.
3Volume of moving object
If the housing space is made compact to save space, then space utilization improves, but collision protection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by utilizing the vertical dimension for apparatus arrangement, allowing the housing space to be compact in horizontal dimensions while maintaining adequate protection volume. The overlapping vertical arrangement creates a tapered shape that fits within a smaller overall space while preserving collision protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric tapered arrangement of apparatuses with shorter length in front/rear or width direction for downward-positioned apparatuses allows the housing space to be compact while maintaining protection capability. The tapered configuration optimizes the distribution of apparatuses within the limited space.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an arrangement structure of electrical apparatuses in an electric automobile which can realize space savings of a space housing a plurality of electrical apparatuses. An arrangement structure of electrical apparatuses in an electric automobile includes: a vehicle body having a driver cabin and a housing space provided forward of the driver cabin; a plurality of electrical apparatuses (junction board, charger, voltage converter, battery heater) housed in the housing space; and a frame body retaining the plurality of electrical apparatuses to overlap vertically, in which a specific electrical apparatus positioned more downwards than a predetermined position among the plurality of electrical apparatus is arranged more downwards as having a shorter length in the front/rear direction of the vehicle body, or as having a shorter length in the width direction of the vehicle body.