Power installation

Abstract

The present invention provides an electric device comprising: a power control unit fixed to the upper portion of an automatic transmission case with a gap therebetween; and a battery connected to the power control unit via a first wiring extending from the power control unit to the rear of a vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric power device including a power control unit capable of converting electric power from a battery. Background Art

[0002] International Publication No. 2018-033346 discloses a transmission for a motor vehicle having a hydraulic transmission control device, a transmission housing, an oil pan mounted on the transmission housing, and a power electronic device. The power electronic device is supported by the transmission housing and the oil pan, and the hydraulic transmission control device and the power electronic device are arranged side by side below or to the side of the transmission housing. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the technology disclosed in International Publication No. 2018-033346, the power electronic device is set in a position that is easily affected by the heat of the transmission and is difficult to replace.

[0004] The present invention provides a technology for suppressing the influence of heat on a power control unit and facilitating replacement of the power control unit.

[0005] An electric power device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a power control unit fixed to an upper portion of an automatic transmission case with a gap therebetween, and a battery connected to the power control unit via a first wire extending from the power control unit toward the rear of a vehicle.

[0006] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology that suppresses the influence of heat on the power control unit and facilitates replacement of the power control unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the electric power device of the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a side view of the electric power device of the embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a diagram for explaining the disassembly of the power control unit.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a rear view of the electric power device of the first modification.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a side view of the electric power device of the second modification.

[0013] Figure 6 It is a side view of the electric power device of the third modification.

[0014] Figure 7 It is a side view of the electric power device of the fourth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of an electric power device 1 of an embodiment. The electric power device 1 includes a power control unit 10, an automatic transmission case 12, an electric generator 14, a first wiring 20, a second wiring 22, and a battery (not shown). The electric power device 1 is provided in a hybrid vehicle that can be driven by an electric motor and an engine. It should be noted that the electric power device 1 is not limited to a hybrid vehicle, and can also be provided in an electric vehicle that is driven only by an electric motor.

[0016] The automatic transmission case 12, the motor generator 14 and the engine 16 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the engine 16 is located at the position closest to the front side of the vehicle. The gears of the automatic transmission are mounted inside the automatic transmission case 12. The automatic transmission case 12 is supported by the vehicle body frame 18. The automatic transmission is a stepped transmission that automatically changes the gear stage according to the vehicle speed, the accelerator opening, etc., and is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor generator 14 or the engine 16 via the input shaft, and is connected to the left and right wheels via the output shaft.

[0017] The electric generator 14 functions as an electric motor that receives power from a battery (not shown) and is driven to rotate. Moreover, when it is rotated by an external force, it functions as a generator and can also charge the battery. The rotor, which is the rotating shaft of the electric generator 14, is connected to the input shaft of the automatic transmission. When driving, it is controlled by the power control unit 10 based on the control command from the motor control unit. The electric generator 14 is arranged between the automatic transmission case 12 and the engine 16 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is arranged on the front side of the automatic transmission case 12 of the vehicle.

[0018] The engine 16 is a gasoline engine or a diesel engine, and controls the throttle opening of the throttle valve etc. based on the control command from the engine control unit. The motor generator 14 and the engine 16 function as a power unit of the vehicle, generate driving force, and output the generated driving torque to the automatic transmission case 12 via the rotating shaft.

[0019] The power control unit 10 converts the DC power from the battery into AC power based on the drive signal from the power control unit and outputs it to the motor generator 14. In addition, the power control unit 10 converts the AC power regenerated by the motor generator into DC power based on the drive signal from the power control unit and outputs it to the battery. The power control unit 10 includes an inverter and a converter, and can convert the DC power on the battery side into the three-phase AC power on the motor generator 14 side.

[0020] The power control unit 10 includes a housing 30, a bracket 24, and internal electrical equipment housed in the housing 30. The internal electrical equipment includes an inverter, a converter, and an electrical circuit. The power control unit 10 is fixed to the upper portion of the automatic transmission housing 12 with a gap therebetween. The housing 30 is configured to prevent the circuit substrate and the like from being exposed. Terminal ports are formed in the housing 30 for inserting the first wiring 20 and the second wiring 22.

[0021] A pair of brackets 24 are formed so as to protrude from the bottom of the case 30 in the vehicle front-rear direction and are formed in a flange shape. The brackets 24 are used to fix the power control unit 10 to the automatic transmission case 12 .

[0022] The power control unit 10 is connected to the battery via the first wiring 20, and is connected to the motor generator 14 via the second wiring 22. The first wiring 20 extends from the power control unit 10 to the rear of the vehicle, and the second wiring 22 extends from the power control unit 10 to the front of the vehicle. The first wiring 20 and the second wiring 22 are cables that can be plugged in and out of the power control unit 10. Thus, the wiring to the motor generator 14 and the battery is simplified, and the connection to the power control unit 10 can be easily performed. Compared with the case where the first wiring and the second wiring pass through the side of the automatic transmission case 12, contact with other devices can be suppressed.

[0023] The motor generator 14 has a terminal block 14a at the top, and the terminal block 14a is connected to the second wiring 22 extending from the power control unit 10 to the front of the vehicle. Therefore, the handling of the second wiring 22 becomes simple, and the motor generator 14 can be connected to the power control unit 10 arranged on the top of the automatic transmission case 12 at a short distance.

[0024] Figure 2 1 is a side view of the electric device 1 of the embodiment. The automatic transmission case 12 has a pair of coupling seats 28 formed in a raised manner. The coupling seats 28 have a seat surface for the bracket 24 to be set and an internal thread for coupling. The coupling seats 28 are formed by forming the coupling seats 28 in a raised manner upward by die casting and cutting the internal thread. The pair of coupling seats 28 are arranged opposite to each other in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The coupling seats 28 are raised from the upper surface of the automatic transmission case 12 by, for example, several centimeters.

[0025] The bracket 24 of the power control unit 10 is set on the connection seat 28 and connected by screws. As a result, the power control unit 10 can be easily installed and removed, and it is easy to remove when a failure occurs in the power control unit 10. In addition, the connection seat 28 is formed in a raised manner, thereby forming a gap between the housing 30 of the power control unit 10 and the automatic transmission housing 12, which can make it difficult for the substrate inside the housing 30 to be heated by the automatic transmission housing 12. In addition, the power control unit 10 is arranged on the upper part of the automatic transmission housing 12, so that it is difficult to interfere with other devices such as the hydraulic transmission control device arranged on the side of the automatic transmission housing 12.

[0026] The automatic transmission case 12 tapers toward the rear of the vehicle, and the upper portion of the automatic transmission case 12 is tilted and arranged to descend toward the rear of the vehicle. The power control unit 10 is tilted and descends toward the rear of the vehicle in accordance with the tilt of the upper portion of the automatic transmission case 12. Thus, even if the power control unit 10 is arranged at the upper portion of the automatic transmission case 12, interference with other components can be suppressed.

[0027] The battery 26 is a rechargeable DC power source, such as a secondary battery. The battery 26 supplies power to the power control unit 10, and is charged by receiving regenerative power output from the power control unit 10. The battery 26 is connected to the power control unit 10 via the first wiring 20 extending from the power control unit 10 to the rear of the vehicle. Thus, compared with the case where the first wiring 20 passes through the side of the automatic transmission case 12, etc., contact with other devices can be suppressed.

[0028] Figure 3 1 is a diagram for explaining the removal of the power control unit 10. The power control unit 10 is arranged on the lower side of the vehicle body panel 32 and is covered by the vehicle body panel 32. The vehicle body panel 32 is formed with an opening 32a which is larger than the power control unit 10. Figure 3 The opening 32a is shown in FIG. 1 . The opening 32a is normally sealed by a cover (not shown), but when the power control unit 10 is disassembled, the cover is removed and the opening 32a is opened.

[0029] After removing the cover, the operator pulls out the terminals of the first wiring 20 and the second wiring 22 from the power control unit 10, disconnects the bracket 24 with a tool, removes the power control unit 10 from the automatic transmission case 12, and removes it from the opening 32a. When replacing the power control unit 10, the operator inserts a new power control unit 10 from the opening 32a, and can easily install it by connecting the bracket 24 and connecting the first wiring 20 and the second wiring 22 to the power control unit 10. In this way, it is not a structure in which the power control unit 10 cannot be removed without moving the automatic transmission case 12, the motor generator 14, and the engine 16 as a whole, but the power control unit 10 can be easily replaced alone.

[0030] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a rear view of the electric power device 100 according to the first modification. Figure 4 , the power device 100 is shown as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. A pair of power control units 110 are provided on the upper portion of the automatic transmission case 112. The bracket 124 is provided on a connection seat 128 formed to bulge toward the upper portion of the automatic transmission case 112 and connected, thereby fixing the power control unit 110 to the automatic transmission case 112 with a gap secured.

[0031] The power control unit 110 is located above the center C of the automatic transmission case 112. Therefore, the power control unit 110 can be easily removed compared to when the power control unit is arranged on the side of the automatic transmission case 112. Figure 4 In the embodiment, a pair of power control units 110 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the power control unit 110 may be provided on only one side. In any case, the power control unit 110 is fixed to the coupling seat 128 on the upper part of the automatic transmission housing 112.

[0032] Figure 5 2 is a side view of the electric power device 200 according to the second modification. Figure 2 Compared with the electric power device 1 shown in the figure, the positions of the automatic transmission case 212 and the electric generator 214 are different. This difference occurs depending on the type of vehicle. The automatic transmission case 212 is located behind the engine 16 of the vehicle, and is located in front of the electric generator 214 of the vehicle, and the engine 16, the automatic transmission case 212, and the electric generator 214 are arranged in this order.

[0033] The power control unit 210 is disposed and connected to a connection seat 228 formed to protrude toward the upper portion of the automatic transmission case 212 , thereby fixing the power control unit 210 to the automatic transmission case 212 with a gap secured.

[0034] The motor generator 214 has a terminal block 214a at the upper portion. Since the motor generator 214 is located behind the power control unit 210, the second wiring 222 extends from the power control unit 210 toward the rear of the vehicle and is connected to the terminal block 214a.

[0035] Figure 6 3 is a side view of the electric power device 300 according to the third modification. Figure 5 Compared with the electric power device 200 shown in the figure, the protection method of the power control unit 310 and the connection method of the power control unit 310 and the motor generator 314 are different, and a busbar connection is used.

[0036] The power control unit 310 is installed and connected to a connection seat 328 formed to be raised on the upper part of the automatic transmission case 312, thereby fixing the power control unit 310 to the automatic transmission case 312 with a gap secured.

[0037] The power control unit 310 does not have a housing, and the substrate is directly fixed to the connection seat 328 of the automatic transmission housing 312. A receiving portion 38 is provided on the upper portion of the automatic transmission housing 312, and the connection seat 328 is provided in the receiving portion 38. The receiving portion 38 has a side wall portion 40 that is erected from the upper surface of the automatic transmission housing 312 and a cover portion 42 that can open and close the upper opening of the side wall portion 40. The side wall portion 40 forms a rectangular space. The cover portion 42 is locked to the side wall portion 40 in a state in which the upper opening of the side wall portion 40 is sealed. The cover portion 42 can be locked to the side wall portion 40 by screws, or can be locked by locking claws.

[0038] The power control unit 310 and the motor generator 314 are electrically connected via the first bus bar 44, the intermediate terminal block 46, and the second bus bar 48. By connecting via the bus bar, the cost can be reduced compared to connecting via cables.

[0039] The intermediate terminal seat 46 is fixed to the upper side of the automatic transmission housing 312. At least the upper end of the intermediate terminal seat 46 is disposed in the receiving portion 38, and the entire intermediate terminal seat 46 may be disposed in the receiving portion 38. The first busbar 44 is electrically connected to the power control unit 310, protrudes from the power control unit 310 toward the rear of the vehicle, and is connected to the upper end of the intermediate terminal seat 46 by bolts or screws.

[0040] In the motor generator 314, a terminal block is not provided on the upper part, but a second bus bar 48 protruding toward the front of the vehicle is assembled and electrically connected to the motor generator 314. The second bus bar 48 is connected to the lower end of the intermediate terminal block 46 by bolts or screws. After the first bus bar 44 and the intermediate terminal block 46 are connected, the operator closes the cover 42. In this way, the electrical contacts of the power control unit 310 can be protected.

[0041] It should be noted that a cover may be provided to cover the intermediate terminal block 46 and the second bus bar 48. Furthermore, the intermediate terminal block 46 and the second bus bar 48 may be integrated.

[0042] Figure 7 4 is a side view of an electric power device 400 according to a fourth modification. Figure 5 Compared with the electric power device 200 shown in the figure, the connection method of the power control unit 410 and the motor generator 414 is different, and a busbar connection is used.

[0043] The housing 430 of the power control unit 410 is connected to a connection seat 428 formed to protrude toward the upper portion of the automatic transmission housing 412 , thereby fixing the power control unit 410 to the automatic transmission housing 412 while ensuring clearance.

[0044] The housing 430 includes a tool hole and a cover 442 that closes the tool hole. The tool hole is formed through the upper surface of the housing 430 and is formed at a position where the tool reaches the first bus bar 444. The first bus bar 444 is disposed in the housing 430 and is electrically connected to the power control unit 410.

[0045] The intermediate terminal block 446 is fixed to the automatic transmission case 412, and the upper end of the intermediate terminal block 446 is inserted into the case 430. The second busbar 448 is electrically connected to the motor generator 414, protrudes from the motor generator 414 toward the front of the vehicle, and is connected to the lower end of the intermediate terminal block 446. The lower end of the intermediate terminal block 446 and the second busbar 448 may be covered by a cover.

[0046] It should be noted that the embodiments are merely illustrative, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combinations of constituent elements and that such modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric power device, characterized in that: have: A power control unit is fixed to the upper portion of the automatic transmission housing with a gap therebetween; and a battery connected to the power control unit via a first wiring extending from the power control unit to the rear of the vehicle, A pair of connection seats for connecting the power control unit are formed on the automatic transmission housing by die casting in a manner of bulging toward the upper part of the automatic transmission housing. The pair of connecting seats are arranged opposite to each other along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The power control unit has a pair of brackets protruding in a flange shape, and the pair of brackets are respectively arranged and connected to a pair of the connecting seats. The power control unit is arranged on the lower side of the vehicle body panel. An opening is formed in the vehicle body panel, and the power control unit can be taken out from the opening. The first harness is insertable and removable with respect to the power control unit.

2. The electric power device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power control unit is connected to the electric generator, The motor generator is disposed on the vehicle front side of the automatic transmission case and is connected to the power control unit via a second wiring extending from the power control unit toward the vehicle front.

3. The electric power device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The motor generator has a terminal block at the upper portion, The terminal block is connected to the second wiring.

Images