vehicle

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a vehicle that can reduce the risk of people touching electrical terminals and improve safety. In order to solve the above problem, a vehicle is provided, comprising: an electrical device (PCU 9) mounted on a vehicle (1); a functional component (resonator 8) extending to a position behind the electrical device (9) in a top view of the vehicle mounted state and arranged on the electrical device (9); a cable (10) connecting the electrical device (9) and a battery mounted on the vehicle (1); and a cable mounting portion (male connector 24) arranged below the plane projection of the functional component (8) in the electrical device (9) and having a terminal port (25) facing downward in the vertical direction when the vehicle is mounted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A protective means is proposed for preventing electric shock caused by contact with the terminal portion of an electrical device mounted on a vehicle. One example is an interlock system, which cuts off the conduction with the high-voltage circuit portion when the high-voltage connector in the inverter of an electric vehicle is opened (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In the proposal of Patent Document 1, the high-voltage connector is allowed to be opened after the low-voltage connector is removed, and if the low-voltage connector is removed, the switch of the high-voltage connector is cut off. On the one hand, the following technology is proposed: the plate-shaped portion at the upper cover of the upper part of the inverter unit has a shape extending in the vehicle width direction, and the shape is used to prevent external contact with the high-voltage connector protruding on the side of the inverter unit in the vehicle width direction (for example, refer to Patent Document 2). In the proposal of Patent Document 2, the interlock works so that the switch of the high-voltage connector is cut off after the upper cover is removed. On the other hand, there is also a proposal to arrange the high-voltage connector on a side surface in the vehicle width direction of the power supply control device storage box, and use the rigidity of the box to prevent the high-voltage cable from being clamped by the deformed part of the vehicle body during a front collision of the electric vehicle to resist deformation of the vehicle body (for example, refer to patent document 3).

[0003] [Prior Art Literature]

[0004] (Patent Document)

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-34910

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-143200

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-102111 Summary of the Invention

[0008] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In the technology of Patent Document 1, when the high-voltage connector is opened, the interlocking function is used to cut off the conduction with the high-voltage part. However, when the low-voltage connector is removed, the terminals of the high-voltage connector are exposed upward. Therefore, no essential solution is provided in terms of preventing people from touching the terminals. On the one hand, in the technology of Patent Document 2, if the upper cover of the inverter unit is removed by a tool and the high-voltage connector located below it is opened, the terminals are exposed at the terminal opening facing the vehicle width direction. Therefore, it cannot be said that it is a perfect countermeasure in terms of preventing people from touching the terminals. On the other hand, the technology of Patent Document 3 has the terminal opening of the high-voltage connector facing downward, but it was not originally proposed from the perspective of ensuring safety. Therefore, it is not clear whether there is an obstacle to turning the hand to the high-voltage connector.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that can reduce the risk of human contact with electrical terminals and improve safety.

[0011] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0012] (1) A vehicle comprising: an electrical device (e.g., a PCU 9 described later) mounted on a vehicle (e.g., a vehicle 1 described later); a functional component (e.g., a resonator 8 described later) extending to a position further rearward than the electrical device in a plan view of a vehicle-mounted state and provided on the electrical device; a cable (e.g., a cable 10 described later) connecting the electrical device and a battery mounted on the vehicle; and a cable mounting portion (e.g., a male connector 24 described later) provided below a planar projection of the functional component in the electrical device and having a terminal port (e.g., a terminal port 25 described later) facing downward in a vertical direction when the vehicle is mounted.

[0013] (2) The vehicle according to (1), wherein the cable is fastened to the electrical device by a bolt (for example, a head bolt 32 described later).

[0014] (3) In the vehicle according to (1) or (2), the functional component is fastened to the electrical device by bolts (for example, bolts 19 described later).

[0015] (4) The vehicle according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the electrical device is mounted on a front portion of the vehicle, and the cable mounting portion is provided behind the vehicle.

[0016] (5) The vehicle according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the functional component has a lower rigidity than the electrical device.

[0017] (6) The vehicle according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the electrical device is arranged on a powertrain of the vehicle, and the functional component is arranged on the electrical device.

[0018] (Effects of the Invention)

[0019] In the vehicle of (1), since the terminal opening of the cable mounting portion is downwardly disposed at a lower position within the plane projection of the functional component, the risk of human contact with the terminal can be reduced, thereby improving safety.

[0020] In the vehicle of (2), since the cables are fastened to the electrical equipment by bolts, the cables cannot be easily removed, which can reduce the risk of people touching the terminals and improve safety.

[0021] In the vehicle of (3), since the functional components are fastened to the electrical equipment by bolts, the functional components cannot be easily removed, which can reduce the risk of people touching the terminals and improve safety.

[0022] In the vehicle of (4), since the electrical equipment is mounted on the front portion of the vehicle, safety during a collision can be improved.

[0023] In the vehicle of (5), since the functional components have lower rigidity than the electrical equipment, the impact on the electrical equipment during a collision can be reduced.

[0024] In the vehicle of (6), since the electrical equipment is arranged on the powertrain of the vehicle and the functional components are arranged on the electrical equipment, the impact on the electrical equipment during a collision can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the front portion of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 The vehicle is mounted on the top of the vehicle. Figure 1 A diagram of functional components provided on the electrical equipment of a vehicle.

[0027] Figure 3 The side view of the vehicle is shown as follows: Figure 1 Diagram of the vehicle's electrical equipment and functional components.

[0028] Figure 4 Is removed and mounted on Figure 1 A diagram showing the functional components above the electrical equipment of a vehicle and depicting it from a top view in the vehicle-mounted state.

[0029] Figure 5 It is shown on Figure 1FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cable installation portion provided on an electrical device of a vehicle with its terminal opening opened.

[0030] Figure 6 Is the picture disconnected mounted on Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an initial state of a cable installation portion provided on an electrical device of a vehicle, during the steps of connecting a cable and opening a terminal port.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the steps in the above Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the next state of the state.

[0032] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the steps in the above Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the next state of the state.

[0033] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the steps in the above Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the next state of the state.

[0034] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the steps in the above Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the next state of the state.

[0035] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the steps in the above Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the next state of the state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the front portion of a vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This figure shows functional components provided on the electrical equipment mounted on the vehicle 1 in a plan view in a vehicle-mounted state. Figure 3 The diagram shows the electrical equipment and functional components mounted on the vehicle 1 as a side view in a vehicle-mounted state. Figure 4 This figure shows a top view of an electrical device mounted on a vehicle 1 with functional components above the device removed. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a cable mounting portion provided on an electrical device mounted on a vehicle 1 with its terminal opening opened.

[0037] exist Figures 1 to 5 , arrow Fr indicates the front of the vehicle body, arrow Rr indicates the rear of the vehicle body, arrow Up indicates the top of the vehicle body, arrow Dw indicates the bottom of the vehicle body, arrow L indicates the left in the vehicle width direction, and arrow R indicates the right in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] exist Figure 1In the front portion 3 of the vehicle body 2 of the illustrated vehicle 1, an engine compartment 5 is arranged in front of an instrument panel 4, which is provided across substantially the entire width of the vehicle body 2 in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction). In the engine compartment 5, left and right side members 6 extending forward from the upper left and right portions of the instrument panel 4 are arranged within a frame connected at their front ends by a cross member 7.

[0039] A powertrain including an engine (not shown) is installed in the engine compartment 5. A resonator 8 is installed in the intake system of the engine as a functional component for suppressing intake noise. Figure 3 As can be seen, resonator 8 is installed on PCU (power control unit) 9, which is an electrical device. PCU 9 is a power management unit that drives the vehicle 1's electric motor using electricity supplied by the battery. It is connected to a battery (not shown) mounted on the rear portion of vehicle body 2 via cable 10. As described above, PCU 9 is installed on the powertrain, and resonator 8 is arranged thereon.

[0040] Reference Figure 2 Resonator 8 is a hollow body with a space connecting the air intake 11 through a passage 12 to a resonance chamber 13. Resonance chamber 13, the core component of resonator 8, is a flat box with a hollow interior divided into multiple sections. Resonator 8 suppresses intake air noise through resonance. Resonator 8 is made of a relatively low-rigidity material.

[0041] Reference Figure 3 The PCU is a box-shaped body in which the converter box 16 is overlapped with the inverter housing 14 via a partition 15 and fastened with bolts. The bottom of the inverter housing 14 is sealed by a lower cover 17. The upper side of the converter box 16 is sealed by an upper cover 18. Figure 2 As can be seen, the resonator 8 is fastened to the converter box 16 at multiple locations using bolts 19. Figure 6 As shown in the following figures, the inverter case 14 houses circuits such as the inverter 14a, and the converter box 16 houses circuits such as the DC-DC converter 16a. Hereinafter, the inverter 14a and other circuits will be collectively referred to as the inverter 14a, and the DC-DC converter 16a and other circuits will be collectively referred to as the DC-DC converter 16a.

[0042] Reference Figure 3 , a cable mounting portion 20 is provided at the rear end of the converter box 16 of the PCU 9. Figure 5 As can be seen, cable mounting portion 20 is configured as a male connector 24. Male connector 24 includes a box-side connector housing 21 connected to converter box 16, and internally located positive and negative terminals 22 and 23. Terminal opening 25 of male connector 24 faces approximately vertically downward when mounted on the vehicle.

[0043] A female connector 26, which forms a pair with the male connector 24, is provided at the end of the cable 10, which is a so-called DC cable. The female connector 26 has a female positive terminal and a female negative terminal (not shown) inside a cable-side connector housing 27. The male connector 24 and the female connector 26 are so-called DC connectors.

[0044] A support member 29 is provided on the outer side of the box-side connector housing 21, which serves as the housing portion of the male connector 24, and has bolt through-holes 28 for fastening the female connector 26. A supported plate 30, corresponding to the support member 29 on the male connector 24 side, is provided on the cable-side connector housing 27, which serves as the housing portion of the female connector 26, so as to extend outward from the cable-side connector housing 27. Bolt through-holes 31 corresponding to the bolt through-holes 28 of the support member 29 are formed in the supported plate 30.

[0045] When the female connector 26 and the male connector 24 are engaged, the head bolt 32 is inserted from the bolt through hole 31 of the supported plate 30 through the bolt through hole 28 side of the supporting component 29 from bottom to top, and the flange nut 33 is screwed on the supporting component 29 side to tighten the female connector 26 and the male connector 24.

[0046] Next, refer to Figures 6 to 11 , the procedure for disconnecting the cable 10 from the male connector 24 serving as the cable mounting portion and opening the terminal port 25 will be described. Figures 6 to 11 The housing of the PCU 9 is composed of a converter box 16 fastened to an inverter case 14 via a partition 15. The inverter case 14 houses an inverter 14a, while the converter box 16 houses a DC-DC converter 16a. The positive positive terminal 22 and negative positive terminal 23 exposed at the terminal opening 25 of the male connector 24 are connected to the DC-DC converter 16a.

[0047] Figure 6 This is the initial state during the process of opening terminal port 25 of male connector 24. Female connector 26 is engaged with male connector 24, and cable 10 is connected to PCU 9. Male connector 24 and female connector 26 are fastened together using head bolts 32 and flange nuts 33. Furthermore, resonator 8 is fastened to PCU 9 using bolts 19 and positioned in a position where it functions normally when installed in the vehicle.

[0048] exist Figure 6 In the state, the male connector 24 and the female connector 26 are located within the plane projection area of ​​the portion of the resonator 8 extending toward the rear of the vehicle 1. Figure 1As shown, when looking down from above into the open engine compartment 5, the male connector 24 and female connector 26 are blocked by the resonator 8, making it impossible to reach them. Furthermore, the resonator 8 is secured to the converter box 16 of the PCU 9 with bolts 19. Therefore, resonator 8 can only be removed from the PCU 9 using appropriate tools. Consequently, access to the male connector 24 and female connector 26 is difficult without proper preparation. In other words, under normal circumstances, there is no risk of electric shock from accidentally touching the positive positive terminal 22 and negative positive terminal 23 at the terminal opening 25 of the male connector 24.

[0049] Next, Figure 7 The figure shows a state where the bolts 19 that fasten the resonator 8 to the PCU 9 are removed using a suitable tool or the like. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the bolt 19 is removed, the resonator 8 can be removed upward. Figure 4 As shown, when the resonator 8 is removed, the shape of the upper cover 18 can be seen when looking down at the upper side of the PCU 9.

[0050] like Figure 9 As shown, when the resonator 8 is removed, the flange nut 33 of the head bolt 32 can be operated from the upper side, and the flange nut 33 fastens the support member 29 provided to extend outward from the box-side connector housing 21 and the supported plate 30 of the male connector 26. Figure 10 As shown, when the flange nut 33 is removed upward, the male connector 24 and the female connector 26 that were previously fastened in the fitted state by the head bolt 32 and the flange nut 33 can be separated.

[0051] like Figure 11 As shown, a person's hand or the like can be brought close to the terminal opening 25 of the male connector 24 while the female connector 26 on the cable 10 side is separated from the male connector 24. However, since the terminal opening 25 faces downward, the risk of a person accidentally touching the exposed positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23 and receiving an electric shock can be effectively reduced.

[0052] According to the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the following effects are achieved:

[0053] The vehicle 1 of (1) comprises: a PCU 9 mounted on the vehicle 1; a resonator 8, which extends to a position behind the PCU 9 in a plan view when the vehicle is mounted; a cable 10, which connects the PCU 9 to a battery mounted on the vehicle 1; and a male connector 24, which is disposed below the resonator 8 in a planar projection in the PCU 9 and has a terminal opening 25 facing downward in the vertical direction when the vehicle is mounted. Therefore, the risk of a person touching the positive positive terminal 22 and the negative positive terminal 23 of the male connector 24 can be reduced, thereby improving safety.

[0054] In the vehicle 1 of (2), the cable 10 (the female connector 26 on the cable 10 side) is fastened to the PCU 9 with a head bolt 32. Therefore, the cable 10 (the female connector 26 on the cable 10 side) cannot be easily removed, and the risk of people touching the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23 of the male connector 24 can be reduced, thereby improving safety.

[0055] In the vehicle 1 of (3), the resonator 8 is fastened to the PCU 9 by bolts 19. Therefore, the resonator 8 cannot be easily removed, and it is difficult to reach the male connector 24 located below the resonator 8. Therefore, the risk of a person touching the positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23 of the male connector 24 can be reduced, thereby improving safety.

[0056] In the vehicle 1 of (4), the PCU 9 is mounted on the front portion of the vehicle 1, and a male connector 24 is provided behind the PCU 9. Therefore, safety during a collision can be improved.

[0057] In the vehicle 1 of (5), the rigidity of the resonator 8 is lower than that of the PCU 9. Therefore, the influence on the PCU 9 during a collision can be reduced.

[0058] In the vehicle 1 of (6), the PCU 9 is arranged on the powertrain of the vehicle 1, and the resonator 8 is arranged on the PCU 9. Therefore, the influence on the PCU 9 during a collision can be reduced.

[0059] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. The detailed structure may be appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention. For example, while the above configuration employs a structure in which a cable mounting portion with downward-facing terminal openings is positioned below the planar projection of the so-called main body of the resonator, a configuration in which a dummy component is provided extending rearward from the rear of the resonator and the cable mounting portion is positioned below the planar projection of this dummy component may also be employed.

[0060] Reference numerals

[0061] 1 vehicle

[0062] 2 Body

[0063] 3 front

[0064] 4 Dashboard

[0065] 5 Engine compartment

[0066] 6 Side beams

[0067] 7 beam

[0068] 8 Resonator

[0069] 9 PCU

[0070] 10 Cable

[0071] 11 Air Inlet

[0072] 12 Channel Department

[0073] 13 Resonance Chamber

[0074] 14 Inverter housing

[0075] 14a Inverter

[0076] 15 partition

[0077] 16 Converter Box

[0078] 16A DC-DC Converter

[0079] 17 Lower cover

[0080] 18 Upper cover

[0081] 19 bolts

[0082] 20 Cable Installation

[0083] 21 Box side connector housing

[0084] 22 Fairness Extremist

[0085] 23 Common negative terminal

[0086] 24 male connector

[0087] 25 terminal port

[0088] 26 female connector

[0089] 27 Cable-side connector housing

[0090] 28 Bolt through holes

[0091] 29 Support components

[0092] 30 supported plate

[0093] 31 Bolt through hole

[0094] 32 head bolts

[0095] 33 Flange nut

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: Electrical equipment, mounted on vehicles; a functional component that extends to a position behind the aforementioned electrical equipment in a plan view of the vehicle-mounted state and is arranged on the aforementioned electrical equipment; a cable connecting the aforementioned electrical equipment and a battery mounted on the aforementioned vehicle; and, The cable installation portion is provided below the plane projection of the functional component in the electrical device and has a terminal opening facing downward in the vertical direction when mounted on the vehicle. The cable installation portion is configured as a male connector, the male connector comprising: a box-side connector housing connected to the box body of the electrical device; and a positive terminal and a negative terminal inside the box-side connector housing. A cable-side connector housing of a female connector provided at an end portion of the cable is fastened to the male connector.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The cable is fastened to the electrical equipment by means of bolts.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The functional components are fastened to the electrical equipment by bolts.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The electrical device is mounted on the front portion of the vehicle, and the cable mounting portion is provided behind the electrical device.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The functional components have lower rigidity than the electrical equipment.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The aforementioned electrical equipment is arranged on the powertrain of the aforementioned vehicle, and the aforementioned functional components are arranged on the electrical equipment.

7. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The male connector is provided with a supporting member in a protruding manner. The supporting member has a bolt through-hole for fastening the cable-side connector housing of the female connector.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein: The cable installation portion is arranged at the rear of the electrical equipment. The supporting member is arranged to extend to a position further back than the cable mounting portion. The functional component is provided above the electrical device in a side view and extends to a position behind the cable installation portion.

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