Insulation protection structure at the front of the vehicle

Abstract

The objective of this invention is to suppress the exposure of the busbar during a frontal collision of a vehicle. An engine starter unit (electrical equipment) is mounted in the engine compartment. A B-terminal is located at the front of the engine starter unit. The busbar is connected to the B-terminal and extends rearward. A base and a cover hold and cover the busbar. The base and cover are insulated. The base and busbar are fixed together to the engine starter unit. The cover and base engage via latches. A front wall portion is formed on the base at a position forward of the cover. The front wall portion covers the front surface of the cover when viewed from the front of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses an insulating protection structure for the front of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Electrical equipment is housed in the engine compartment at the front of the vehicle. This electrical equipment includes, for example, an engine starter unit. The engine starter unit has terminals. These terminals are connected to the battery via a wiring harness.

[0003] For example, patent documents 1 and 2 disclose a cover for protecting the terminals of an engine starting unit.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-25570

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 5-44723 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The engine compartment houses multiple electrical devices or vehicle components. Specifically, vehicle components are located in front of these electrical devices. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision, the vehicle components may move backward and collide with the electrical devices. Consequently, if terminals are located in front of the electrical devices, the continuity between the wiring harness and the terminals may be severed during a frontal collision.

[0007] To prevent wire breakage between the wiring harness and terminals in the event of a frontal collision, a busbar is installed between the terminals and the wiring harness. For example, the busbar extends rearward from the terminals of the electrical equipment. The wiring harness is then connected to the rear end of the busbar. By connecting the busbar, which has higher rigidity than the wiring harness, to the terminals, and by connecting the busbar to the wiring at the rear of the electrical equipment, wire breakage in the event of a frontal collision is suppressed.

[0008] The section from the terminal to the connection point of the busbar and the wiring harness is covered by an insulating component. For example, the insulating component is composed of a cover component, which is composed of a segment. For example, the busbar is housed inside a pair of cover components.

[0009] A pair of cover components engage, for example, through a detachable method such as clasp engagement. In a frontal collision, equipment in the engine compartment collides with the pair of cover components, potentially causing one cover to move relative to the other and disengage the clasp engagement.

[0010] Therefore, this specification discloses an insulating protection structure for the front of a vehicle that can suppress the exposure of the busbar during a frontal collision.

[0011] This specification discloses an insulating protection structure for the front of a vehicle. The structure includes electrical equipment, terminals, a busbar, a base, and a cover. The electrical equipment is mounted in the engine compartment. Terminals are located at the front of the electrical equipment. The busbar is connected to the terminals and extends rearward. The base and cover hold and enclose the busbar. The base and cover are insulated. The base and busbar are fixed together to the electrical equipment. The cover engages with the base via latches. A front wall portion is formed on the base at a position forward of the cover. The front wall portion covers the front surface of the cover when viewed from the front of the vehicle.

[0012] According to the above structure, since the base and busbar are fixed together to the electrical equipment, relative movement between the base and busbar is suppressed when vehicle components collide with the front wall during a frontal collision. Furthermore, since the front surface of the cover is covered by the front wall when viewed from the front of the vehicle, direct collisions between vehicle components and the cover are suppressed. In other words, relative movement between the base and cover is suppressed. As a result, the busbar is maintained under the cover.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above structure, the front wall portion can be separated from the front surface of the cover in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0014] Based on the above structure, the stroke of the separation distance is ensured relative to the front surface of the cover.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above structure, the busbar can be positioned on the side of the electrical equipment. In this case, a pair of upper and lower jaws are provided at the front and rear, respectively. A hinge mechanism is then formed between the pair of upper and lower jaws at the front and the pair of upper and lower jaws at the rear.

[0016] Based on the above structure, assuming that when the upper and lower pairs of front latches disengage, the portion of the cover further forward than the hinge mechanism tilts up. That is, the engagement of the rear portion is maintained.

[0017] Furthermore, in the above structure, the front wall portion may include a wall panel and reinforcing ribs. The wall panel faces forward. The reinforcing ribs protrude along the front-rear direction of the wall panel.

[0018] Based on the above structure, the rigidity of the front wall is improved by reinforcing ribs.

[0019] Invention Effects

[0020] According to the insulation protection structure of the front of the vehicle disclosed in this specification, the exposure of the busbars during a frontal collision of the vehicle can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating an engine starting unit.

[0022] Figure 2This is a perspective view showing an example of a base mounted on an engine starting unit.

[0023] Figure 3 It means from Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of an example where the front wall has been removed.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing an example of an engine starting unit with a cover installed.

[0025] Figure 5 It means from Figure 4 A three-dimensional diagram of an example where the front wall has been removed. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following description uses the accompanying drawings to illustrate the insulating protection structure for the front of a vehicle according to the embodiment. The shapes, materials, quantities, and values ​​described below are illustrative examples. These shapes, etc., can be appropriately varied depending on the specifications of the insulating protection structure. Furthermore, equivalent elements are indicated with the same symbols in all the following drawings.

[0027] Furthermore, in Figures 1-5 In this coordinate system, an orthogonal coordinate system consisting of the FR axis, RW axis, and UP axis is used to represent the position or orientation of each structure. The FR axis is the vehicle's forward and backward direction axis with the front of the vehicle as the positive direction. The RW axis is the vehicle's width direction axis with the right side of the vehicle as the positive direction. The UP axis is the vehicle's vertical direction axis with the top as the positive direction.

[0028] 1. Engine starting unit

[0029] exist Figure 1 The image shows an engine starting unit 10. The engine starting unit 10 is an electrical device mounted in the engine compartment at the front of the vehicle.

[0030] The engine starting unit 10 is, for example, a reduction gear unit. That is, the engine starting unit 10 includes a motor section 12 and a power transmission section 14. As will be explained below, the rotational driving force from the motor section 12 is transmitted to the power transmission section 14. During this transmission process, the torque is increased via a reduction gear.

[0031] The motor unit 12 includes a motor housing 13. A rotor, also called an armature, is housed within the motor housing 13. A power transmission unit 14 is disposed below the motor unit 12. The power transmission unit 14 includes a gear housing 15.

[0032] The gear housing 15 is, for example, polygonal in shape when viewed from the front. For example, the gear housing 15 has a side 15A facing the vehicle width direction. As described later, the B terminal 22 is disposed on the side 15A.

[0033] Furthermore, the gear housing 15 has an opening at the rear of the vehicle. A pinion 20 protrudes from this opening. When the internal combustion engine is started, the pinion 20 meshes with the ring gear (not shown) of the internal combustion engine. The driving force of the motor unit 12 is then transmitted from the pinion 20 to the internal combustion engine.

[0034] A plunger (not shown) is housed in the gear housing 15. The plunger causes the pinion 20 to move axially forward and backward. For example, the plunger pushes the pinion 20 axially toward the rear of the vehicle, and the pinion 20 meshes with the ring gear of the internal combustion engine.

[0035] A B terminal 22 is provided on the engine starting unit 10. For example, the B terminal 22 protrudes from the side 15A of the gear housing 15 along the vehicle width direction. The B terminal 22 is connected to a battery (not shown). Power supplied from the battery via the B terminal 22 is supplied to the plunger and armature.

[0036] Terminal B 22 is disposed in the front portion of the engine starting unit 10. For example, terminal B 22 is disposed near the front surface 15B of the gear housing 15.

[0037] Furthermore, an S-terminal 24 is disposed on the lower part of the gear housing 15. The S-terminal 24 is connected to a start switch (not shown). For example, when viewed from the side, the S-terminal 24 is disposed at the rear end of the L-shaped protective cover 29.

[0038] 2. Conductor structure

[0039] refer to Figure 1 The engine starting unit 10 has a B terminal 22, a busbar 30, and a connection terminal 26 as conductors. The busbar 30 is a plate-shaped metal component that is roughly L-shaped when viewed from the side.

[0040] Busbar 30 is disposed on the side 15A of gear housing 15. The front portion of busbar 30 is fastened to terminal B 22. For example, terminal B 22 is connected to busbar 30 by bolt 23.

[0041] The front end of the busbar 30 is positioned rearward relative to the front surface 15B of the gear housing 15. That is, in the event of a frontal collision, direct impact of the vehicle components in front into the busbar 30 is prevented.

[0042] The main surface of the busbar 30 faces the vehicle width direction. The busbar 30 extends rearward from the connection point with terminal B 22. Furthermore, the busbar 30 folds upward at its rear end. A connection terminal 26 is disposed at the folded-back portion. The connection terminal 26 and the wiring harness 52 (reference) Figure 4 (Connection). Based on this structure, bus 30 can be called a relay terminal connecting terminal B 22 and wire harness 52.

[0043] By configuring the busbar 30, the connection point with the wiring harness 52 can be positioned at the rear of the engine starting unit 10. This, in the event of a frontal collision, suppresses collisions between vehicle components and the aforementioned connection point.

[0044] 3. Insulation protection structure

[0045] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 The conductors of B terminal 22, bus 30 and connection terminal 26 are covered by base 40, cover 60 and wire harness cover 50.

[0046] Both the base 40 and the cover 60 are insulating. For example, the base 40 and the cover 60 are made of insulating materials such as resin. The base 40 and the cover 60 cover and hold the busbar 30.

[0047] The base 40 and the busbar 30 are fixed together to the engine starting unit 10. Figure 3 The illustration shows the state when the front wall portion 42 and the expansion plate 43 have been removed from the base 40. (See reference...) Figure 3 The base 40 and busbar 30 are fastened to the side 15A of the gear housing 15 by bolts 23 (see reference). Figure 1 This fastening structure suppresses relative movement of the gear housing 15, busbar 30, and base 40 during a frontal collision with the vehicle.

[0048] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 The base 40 includes a front wall 42, an expansion plate 43, an upper wall 44, a lower wall 46, a bottom wall 47, a rear wall 48, and a front wall 49. The detailed structure of the front wall 42 and the expansion plate 43 will be described later.

[0049] The base 40 is formed in an L-shape along the busbar 30. The bottom wall 47 is formed by the side 15A of the gear housing 15 (see reference). Figure 1 The gear housing 15 and the busbar 30 are clamped together. Similar to the side 15A of the gear housing 15 and the main surface of the busbar 30, the bottom wall 47 faces the vehicle width direction.

[0050] refer to Figure 3 An upper wall 44, a lower wall 46, a rear wall 48, and a front wall 49 are vertically erected from the bottom wall 47. The rear wall 48 is connected to the rear end of the lower wall 46. The front wall 49 is connected to the rear end of the upper wall 44. A connection terminal 26 and a wire harness cover 50 are disposed between the rear wall 48 and the front wall 49 (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0051] The upper wall 44 and the lower wall 46 extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A slot 44A (receiving port) is formed in the front portion of the upper wall 44. Furthermore, a slot 44B is formed in the rear portion of the upper wall 44. (See reference) Figure 5The claws 63A and 63B of the cover 60 are fitted into the slots 44A and 44B.

[0052] Similarly, a slot 46A is formed on the front portion of the lower wall 46. Furthermore, a slot 46B is formed on the rear portion of the lower wall 46. (See reference) Figure 5 A pair of claws 65A and 65B of the cover 60 are fitted into the slots 46A and 46B. The slots 44A and 46A are arranged on a vertical line. Similarly, the slots 44B and 46B are arranged on a vertical line.

[0053] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 The cover 60 covers the base 40. The cover 60 is close to the base 40 in the vehicle width direction. For example, the cover 60 has a front portion 62, a rear portion 64 and a connecting portion 67.

[0054] The front portion 62 is box-shaped, with a claw 63A formed on its upper surface. A claw 65A is formed on the lower surface of the front portion 62. The upper and lower claws 63A and 65A are arranged on a vertical line.

[0055] Similarly, the rear portion 64 is box-shaped, with a claw 63B formed on its upper surface. Furthermore, a claw 65B is formed on the lower surface of the rear portion 64. The upper and lower pairs of claws 63B and 65B are arranged on a vertical line.

[0056] A connecting portion 67 is provided between the front portion 62 and the rear portion 64. The front portion 62 and the rear portion 64 are box-shaped, while the connecting portion 67 is plate-shaped. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As illustrated in the lower right example, the connecting portion 67 forms an integral hinge 66 (hinge mechanism). In the integral hinge 66, the plate thickness is thinner compared to the periphery. The integral hinge 66 extends in the vertical direction.

[0057] For example, the cover 60 engages with the base 40 only through the engagement of the claws. Specifically, the upper and lower pair of claws 63A and 63B of the front portion 62 engage with the upper and lower pair of slots 44A and 46A of the base. Furthermore, the upper and lower pair of claws 65A and 65B of the rear portion 64 engage with the upper and lower pair of slots 44B and 46B. If these engagements disengage, the cover 60 detaches from the base 40.

[0058] As described later, in the event of a frontal collision, if the pawls 63A and 65A of the front portion 62 disengage, the integrated hinge 66 becomes the center of rotation, and the front portion 62 tilts rearward. As a result, the pawls 63B and 65B of the rear portion 64 remain engaged.

[0059] 4. Front structure of the base

[0060] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 The base 40 includes a front wall portion 42 and an expansion plate 43. The front wall portion 42 and the expansion plate 43 are load transfer components during a frontal collision of the vehicle. The front wall portion 42 and the expansion plate 43 are formed at the front compared to the cover 60.

[0061] An expansion plate 43 is disposed at the front portion of the base 40. The expansion plate 43 extends along the vehicle width direction and is positioned at the front relative to the front surface 15B of the gear housing 15.

[0062] The front wall portion 42 is erected from the front portion of the bottom wall 47. Furthermore, the front wall portion 42 extends along the vehicle width direction, separate from the gear housing 15. (See reference) Figure 4 The front wall portion 42 and the front surface 61 of the cover 60, the front wall portion 42 covers the front surface 61 of the cover 60 when viewed from the front of the vehicle.

[0063] That is, the width dimension of the front wall portion 42 exceeds the width dimension of the front surface 61 of the cover 60. Furthermore, the height dimension of the front wall portion 42 exceeds the height dimension of the front surface 61 of the cover 60. Moreover, the center points of the front wall portion 42 and the front surface 61 of the cover 60 are close to or coincide with each other along the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Therefore, when viewed from the front of the vehicle, the front wall portion 42 covers the front surface 61 of the cover 60.

[0064] Furthermore, the rear end 42D of the front wall portion 42 can be separated from the front surface 61 of the cover 60 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. By providing a gap between the front wall portion 42 and the front surface 61, contact between the front wall portion 42 and the front surface 61 can be suppressed even if the front wall portion 42 moves slightly backward during a frontal collision.

[0065] The front wall portion 42 is supported by the front ends of the upper wall 44, lower wall 46, and bottom wall 47 of the base 40. Furthermore, the front wall portion 42 includes a wall panel 42A and reinforcing ribs 42B. The wall panel 42A faces forward. The reinforcing ribs 42B protrude along the vehicle's longitudinal direction from the wall panel 42A. Multiple reinforcing ribs 42B are formed, for example, at intervals along a vertical direction. The rigidity of the front wall portion 42 is improved by the reinforcing ribs 42B.

[0066] In the event of a frontal collision, the vehicle component located in front of the engine starter unit 10 is pushed back. This vehicle component collides with the front wall portion 42 and the expansion plate 43. The base 40 is fixed (fastened) to the gear housing 15 together with the busbar 30, thus suppressing relative movement between the base 40 and the busbar when a collision load is applied.

[0067] Furthermore, the front wall portion 42 receives the vehicle components in front of the cover 60, thus preventing the cover 60 from direct collision with the vehicle components. As described above, since the cover 60 only engages with the base 40, it is prevented from direct collision, thereby suppressing relative movement between the cover 60 and the base 40. That is, it suppresses the exposure of the busbar 30.

[0068] Symbol Explanation

[0069] 10-Engine starting unit (electrical equipment), 15A-Side, 22-B Terminal, 30-Bus, 40-Base, 42-Front wall, 42A-Wall panel, 42B-Reinforcing rib, 42D-Rear end of front wall, 44A, 44B, 46A, 46B-Slots, 50-Wire harness cover, 52-Wire harness, 60-Cover, 61-Front surface of cover, 62-Front part of cover, 63A, 63B, 65A, 65B-Claws, 64-Rear part of cover, 66-Integrated hinge (hinge mechanism), 67-Connecting part.

Claims

1. An insulating protective structure for the front of a vehicle, characterized in that, have: Electrical equipment, which is mounted in the engine compartment; Terminals, which are located at the front portion of the electrical equipment; Busbar, which is connected to the terminal and extends rearward; and The base and cover, etc., clamp and enclose the busbar. The base and the busbar are fixed together to the electrical equipment. The cover engages with the base via a latch. A front wall portion is formed on the base at a position in front of the cover. The front wall portion covers the front surface of the cover when viewed from the front of the vehicle.

2. The insulating protection structure for the front of a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front wall portion is separated from the front surface of the cover in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

3. The insulating protection structure for the front of a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The busbar is located on the side of the electrical equipment. The cover has a pair of upper and lower locking claws at the front and rear, respectively. The cover further forms a hinge mechanism between the upper and lower pairs of front claws and the upper and lower pairs of rear claws.

4. The insulating protection structure for the front of a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front wall portion has a front-facing panel and reinforcing ribs that protrude along the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

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