Structure for mounting electronic unit to rear part of vehicle

Abstract

This structure for mounting an electronic unit (2) to the rear part of a vehicle is provided with: the electronic unit (2); and a wheel cover (5) of a rear wheel (6) formed by a vehicle body panel (P) of the vehicle. The electronic unit (2) is disposed along the vehicle interior surface of the wheel cover (5), and is attached to the vehicle body panel (P) via a plurality of first fixing points. In addition, the electronic unit (2) is positioned further forward than the rearmost end of a load-bearing wheel (60) of the rear wheel (6) within the wheel housing (5) in a side view.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an installation structure of an electronic unit at a rear section of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an installation structure of an electronic unit at a rear section of a vehicle. Regarding this installation structure, it is fixed to the floor surface of a luggage compartment at the rear section of the vehicle. The electronic unit in Patent Document 1 is an inverter that converts high-voltage direct current power stored in an in-vehicle driving battery into high-voltage alternating current power supplied to a driving motor. In addition, in order to protect the electronic unit from a collision load during a rear collision of the vehicle, a cover that covers the electronic unit is also fixed to the floor surface.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-131132 Summary of the Invention

[0004] During a rear collision of the vehicle, the rear body panel and the front panel of the luggage compartment are deformed, and these panels may interfere with the electronic unit. Alternatively, it is also possible that due to the deformation of the front panel of the luggage compartment, the electronic unit may interfere with a rear seat provided in front of it. If the electronic unit is damaged due to interference between the panel and the like and the electronic unit, a short circuit may occur inside the electronic unit.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an installation structure of an electronic unit at a rear section of a vehicle that can improve collision safety.

[0006] The installation structure of an electronic unit at a rear section of a vehicle according to the present invention includes: the electronic unit; and a wheel housing of a rear wheel, which is formed by a vehicle body panel. The electronic unit is arranged along the inner surface of the wheel housing in the passenger compartment and is mounted on the vehicle body panel via a plurality of first fixing points. In addition, when viewed from the side, the electronic unit is located in front of the rearmost end of the loaded wheel of the rear wheel inside the wheel housing.

[0007] Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the above features, it is possible to provide an installation structure of an electronic unit at a rear section of a vehicle that can improve collision safety. Description of the Drawings

[0009] Figure 1 It is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the installation structure of an electronic unit at a rear section of a vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 It is a front view of the above installation structure.

[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a component of the above electronic unit.

[0012] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the above component.

[0013] Figure 5 is a sectional view of the above component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Next, a mounting structure of the electronic unit related to the embodiment to the rear part of the vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, regarding the mounting structure of the present embodiment, the electronic unit 2 is mounted as a unit component 1 to the rear part of the vehicle. More specifically, it is mounted in a luggage compartment formed behind the rear seat S. The unit component 1 further includes a cover 3 and a bracket 4 on the basis of the electronic unit 2. The electronic unit 2 of the present embodiment is a DC-AC inverter that converts DC power of an in-vehicle high-voltage battery into AC power (the voltage is 100V in Japan, 120V in North America, and 220 - 240V etc. in Europe, China, etc.) for use by electrical appliances. The electronic unit 2 is a high-voltage component and is protected to prevent internal short circuits etc. when the vehicle collides from behind. Therefore, the electronic unit 2 is housed inside a protective housing formed by the cover 3 and the bracket 4.

[0016] The unit component 1 is fixed to the body panel P so as to be disposed along the inner surface of the vehicle interior of the wheel housing 5 of the rear wheel 6 formed by the body panel P of the vehicle. The unit component 1 is fixed to the body panel P at a plurality of first fixing points 71 (refer to Figure 3 ). In the present embodiment, the unit component 1 is fixed to the body panel P at four first fixing points 71. In order to improve the storage property of the luggage compartment, the unit component 1 is disposed along the inner wall surface of the wheel housing 5 instead of along the floor surface of the luggage compartment.

[0017] The cover 3 and the bracket 4 of the present embodiment that form the protective housing of the electronic unit 2 are formed by stamping a high-tensile steel plate. The electronic unit 2 is fixed to the inner surface of the cover 3 at a plurality of second fixing points 72 (refer to Figure 3 ). In the present embodiment, the electronic unit 2 is fixed to the cover 3 at four second fixing points 72 at the four corners of the electronic unit 2. The cover 3 is fixed to the inner surface of the bracket 4 at a plurality of third fixing points 73 (refer to Figure 3 ). In the present embodiment, the cover 3 is fixed to the bracket 4 at four third fixing points 73 at the four corners of the bracket 4.

[0018] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the stamped steel plate is fixed by rivets 30 at several of its parts, whereby the cover 3 is formed into a box shape. If the box-shaped cover 3 is mounted on the flat bracket 4 to form a protective cover, an opening 8 is formed at its lower part (refer to Figure 5 ), and an opening 9 is also formed at the rear part. The lower opening 8 is an opening for wire harness connection and intake of cooling air. A pipe (not shown) for discharging cooling air is connected to the rear opening 9.

[0019] The first protruding portions 31 protrude forward from the upper and lower parts of the front edge of the cover 3. The first protruding portions 31 also protrude rearward from the upper and lower parts of the rear edge of the cover 3. The above-mentioned third fixing points 73 between the cover 3 and the bracket 4 are respectively provided at the four first protruding portions 31. Bolt holes 73h for the third fixing points 73 are respectively formed in the first protruding portions 31. In addition, the above-mentioned first fixing points 71 between the bracket 4 (unit assembly 1) and the vehicle body panel P (wheel housing 5) are respectively provided at the two upper first protruding portions 31. Bolt holes 71h for the first fixing points 71 are respectively formed in the two upper first protruding portions 31. The central axes of all the bolt holes 71h and 73h of the cover 3 are horizontal.

[0020] The bracket 4 is substantially formed in a flat plate shape. The second protruding portions 42 protrude forward from the upper and lower parts of the front edge of the bracket 4. The second protruding portions 42 also protrude rearward from the upper and lower parts of the rear edge of the bracket 4. The two lower second protruding portions 42 protrude forward and downward or rearward and downward, and their lowermost parts are bent at a right angle. The above-mentioned first fixing points 71 between the bracket 4 (unit assembly 1) and the vehicle body panel P are respectively provided at the four second protruding portions 42. At the two upper first fixing points 71, the bracket 4 (unit assembly 1) is fixed to the vehicle body panel P forming the wheel housing 5 via a sub-bracket 50 welded to the inner surface of the wheel housing 5 in the vehicle interior. At the two lower first fixing points 71, the bracket 4 (unit assembly 1) is fixed to the vehicle body panel P forming the luggage compartment floor surface.

[0021] Bolt holes 71h for the first fixing points 71 are respectively formed in the four second protruding portions 42. The central axes of the bolt holes 71h formed in the two upper second protruding portions 42 are horizontal, but the central axes of the bolt holes formed in the two lower second protruding portions 42 are vertical. In addition, welding bolts 73b for the above-mentioned third fixing points 73 between the cover 3 and the bracket 4 protrude toward the inside of the luggage compartment from the second protruding portions 42 at the front upper part. And welding nuts 73n for the above-mentioned third fixing points 73 between the cover 3 and the bracket 4 are provided at the second protruding portions 42 at the rear upper part.

[0022] The sub-protrusion 41 protrudes forward from a position slightly above the second protrusion 42 below the front edge of the bracket 4. The above-mentioned third fixing point 73 between the cover 3 and the bracket 4 is provided on the sub-protrusion 41. The welding bolt 73b for the third fixing point 73 protrudes from the sub-protrusion 41 toward the inside of the luggage compartment. In addition, the above-mentioned third fixing point 73 between the cover 3 and the bracket 4 is also provided at a position slightly above the second protrusion 42 below the rear part of the bracket 4. At this third fixing point 73, the welding bolt 73b protrudes from the bracket 4 toward the inside of the luggage compartment.

[0023] On the central plate-shaped part of the bracket 4 except for the above-mentioned protrusions 41 and 42, a plurality of weld seams extending in the front-rear direction are formed, which improves the strength and rigidity of the central plate-shaped part. A flange is also formed on the periphery of the central plate-shaped part, and this flange also contributes to the improvement of strength and rigidity.

[0024] The fixing methods at the above-mentioned fixing points 71-73 of the unit assembly 1 will be described. First, the second fixing point 72 between the electronic unit 2 and the cover 3 will be described. Screw holes are formed at the four corners of the electronic unit 2, and bolt holes are formed in the cover 3 corresponding to the screw holes. The Phillips round-headed bolt 72b inserted through the bolt hole of the cover 3 is screwed to fix the electronic unit 2 inside the cover 3.

[0025] Next, the fixing point at the front upper part will be described. The welding bolt 51 for the first fixing point 71 protrudes from the above-mentioned sub-bracket 50 toward the inside of the luggage compartment. After the welding bolt 51 is inserted through the bolt hole 71h of the second protrusion 42 of the bracket 4 and the bolt hole 71h of the first protrusion 31 of the cover 3, the hexagon nut 71n is screwed with the welding bolt 51 to form the first fixing point 71. In addition, after the welding bolt 73b of the second protrusion 42 of the bracket 4 is inserted through the bolt hole 73h of the first protrusion 31 of the cover 3, the hexagon nut 73n is screwed with the welding bolt 73b to form the third fixing point 73. Here, the third fixing point is located above the first fixing point 71.

[0026] The fixing point at the rear upper part will be described. After the welding bolt 51 of the sub-bracket 50 is inserted through the bolt hole 71h of the second protrusion 42 of the bracket 4 and the bolt hole 71h of the first protrusion 31 of the cover 3, the hexagon nut 71n is screwed with the welding bolt 51 to form the first fixing point 71. In addition, the hexagon socket bolt 73b inserted through the bolt hole 73h of the first protrusion 31 of the cover 3 is screwed with the welding nut 73n of the second protrusion 42 of the bracket 4 to form the third fixing point 73. Here, the third fixing point is located behind the first fixing point 71. At the above-mentioned fixing points at the upper part, the bolts and nuts are screwed horizontally from the inside of the luggage compartment.

[0027] At two first fixing points 71 in the lower part, a hexagon bolt 71b inserted through a bolt hole formed in the second protruding portion 42 of the bracket 4 is vertically fastened to a welding nut welded to the body panel P forming the floor of the luggage compartment. Further, after a welding bolt 73b of a sub-protruding portion 41 protruding from the front edge of the bracket 4 is inserted through a bolt hole 73h of a first protruding portion 31 in the front lower part of the cover 3, a hexagon nut 73n is screwed onto the welding bolt 73b to form a third fixing point 73. This hexagon nut 73n is screwed horizontally from the inside of the luggage compartment. Also, after a welding bolt 73b at the rear part of the bracket 4 is inserted through a bolt hole 73h of a first protruding portion 31 in the rear lower part of the cover 3, a hexagon nut 73n is screwed onto the welding bolt 73b to form a third fixing point 73. This hexagon nut 73n is also screwed horizontally from the inside of the luggage compartment.

[0028] In this way, the cover 3 is fixed to the bracket 4, and the electronic unit 2 is disposed between the cover 3 and the bracket 4. At this time, a gap 10 is formed between the electronic unit 2 and the bracket 4 as Figure 5 shown. Further, the cover 3 is fixed to the bracket 4 at a position higher than the lower end of the bracket 4. The electronic unit 2 has a wire harness connection portion 20 at its lower part, and the wire harness connection portion 20 opens downward toward the above-mentioned lower part 8. Therefore, a wire harness (not shown) connected to the electronic unit 2 is led out downward from the unit assembly 1 through the lower opening 8. In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the unit assembly 1 and the wire harness are hidden because they are mounted on the rim of the body panel P so as to cover them.

[0029] Regarding the mounting structure of the present embodiment constructed in the above manner, the electronic unit 2 is disposed along the inner surface of the vehicle interior of the wheel housing 5 of the rear wheel 6 formed by the body panel P. Since the electronic unit 2 is not mounted on the vehicle interior floor surface, the vehicle interior space can be effectively utilized. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the electronic unit 2 is mounted in the luggage compartment, the floor surface of the luggage compartment can be effectively utilized.

[0030] And, as Figure 2 shown, in a side view observed from the side of the vehicle, the unit assembly 1 is located at a position in front of the rearmost end of the load-bearing wheel 60 of the rear wheel 6 within the wheel housing 5. Here, regarding the unit assembly 1, the cover 3 is fixed to the bracket 4 at a position in front of the rear end of the bracket 4. Therefore, when observed from the side, the electronic unit 2 fixed to the cover 3 is also located at a position in front of the rearmost end of the load-bearing wheel 60 of the rear wheel 6 within the wheel housing 5. Figure 2 The single-dot chain line in Figure 1 indicates the vertical plane at the rearmost end of the load-bearing wheel 60. In addition,

[0031] In addition, when viewed from the side, the projected area of the bracket 4 is larger than that of the cover 3, and the projected area of the cover 3 is larger than that of the electronic unit 2. Also, when viewed from the side, the electronic unit 2 completely overlaps with the bracket 4.

[0032] Next, the effects of the mounting structure of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0033] According to the mounting structure of the present embodiment, the electronic unit 2 is arranged along the inner surface of the vehicle interior of the wheel housing 5 of the rear wheel 6 formed by the vehicle body panel P. Therefore, the electronic unit 2 does not occupy the space on the floor surface, and thus the interior space of the vehicle rear can be effectively utilized flexibly. In addition, the electronic unit 2 is mounted on the vehicle body panel P via a plurality of first fixing points 71. Therefore, even if the vehicle body panel P is deformed during a rear collision of the vehicle, the electronic unit 2 is not easily detached from the vehicle body panel P and is not easily damaged during a rear collision of the vehicle. Also, when viewed from the side, the electronic unit 2 is located at a position in front of the rearmost end of the load-bearing wheel 60 of the rear wheel 6 within the wheel housing 5. During a rear collision of the vehicle, the rear part of the vehicle is flattened by an obstacle to absorb the collision energy. At this time, the wheel housing 5 is flattened by the obstacle to absorb the collision energy, so the electronic unit 2 is protected. Also, since the load-bearing wheel 60 prevents the forward movement of the obstacle relative to the vehicle body, interference between the electronic unit 2 and the obstacle is also avoided, and the electronic unit 2 is more reliably protected.

[0034] In addition, regarding the mounting structure of the present embodiment, the electronic unit 2 is arranged between the cover 3 and the bracket 4. Therefore, the electronic unit 2 is reliably protected by the cover 3 and the bracket 4. Here, the electronic unit 2 is fixed to the cover 3 at a plurality of second fixing points 72. Therefore, the electronic unit 2 is not easily detached from the cover 3 during a rear collision of the vehicle. Also, the cover 3 is fixed to the bracket 4 at a plurality of third fixing points 73. Therefore, the cover 3 is not easily detached from the bracket 4 either. Therefore, the electronic unit 2 is reliably protected by the cover 3 and the bracket 4 between the cover 3 and the bracket 4. Here, the electronic unit 2 is not fixed to the bracket 4 but to the cover 3. The deformation of the vehicle body panel P during a rear collision of the vehicle is first affected by the bracket 4 that is closer to the vehicle body panel P than the cover 3. And then, the electronic unit 2 is affected via the cover 3 that is affected by the bracket 4. That is, the electronic unit 2 is not directly affected by the deformation of the vehicle body panel P but is affected via the bracket 4 and the cover 3, and thus is further protected.

[0035] In particular, in the present embodiment, the strength and rigidity of the portion of the bracket 4 facing the electronic unit 2 are increased due to the weld 40, and a gap 10 is formed between the bracket 4 and the electronic unit 2. Therefore, the deformation of the central plate-like portion of the bracket 4 is suppressed, and interference between the bracket 4 and the electronic unit 2 is suppressed.

[0036] Further, according to the mounting structure of the present embodiment, the cover 3 has a plurality of first protruding portions 31 protruding forward or backward, and a plurality of third fixing points 73 between the cover 3 and the bracket 4 are respectively provided on the plurality of first protruding portions 31. Therefore, when a collision load is transmitted from the bracket 4 to the cover 3, even if the first protruding portions 31 are deformed, the collision energy is absorbed. Further, even if the electronic unit 2 fixed to the cover 3 interferes with the bracket 4, the first protruding portions 31 are deformed, thereby preventing load input to the electronic unit 2. As a result, the electronic unit 2 is more reliably protected.

[0037] Further, according to the mounting structure of the present embodiment, the cover 3 is fixed to the bracket 4 at a position more forward than the rear end of the bracket 4. Therefore, the electronic unit 2 is less likely to be further affected by the deformation of the vehicle body panel P from the rear during a rear collision of the vehicle. Here, when viewed from the side, the projected area of the bracket 4 is larger than the projected area of the cover 3, and the projected area of the cover 3 is larger than the projected area of the electronic unit 2. Further, when viewed from the side, the electronic unit 2 and the bracket 4 completely overlap. Therefore, the deformation of the vehicle body panel P from the rear is affected in the order of the bracket 4 and the cover 3, and finally, the electronic unit 2 is affected. In other words, the electronic unit 2 is least likely to be affected. Further, the electronic unit 2 is completely covered by the bracket 4, so that the influence of the deformation of the vehicle body panel P on the electronic unit 2 is reliably suppressed by the bracket 4.

[0038] Further, according to the mounting structure of the present embodiment, the bracket 4 also has a plurality of second protruding portions 42 protruding forward or backward, and a plurality of first fixing points 71 between the bracket 4 and the vehicle body panel P are respectively provided on the plurality of second protruding portions 42. Therefore, when a collision load is transmitted from the vehicle body panel P to the bracket 4, even if the second protruding portions 42 are deformed, the collision energy is absorbed. Further, even if the bracket 4 interferes with the electronic unit 2, since not only the first protruding portions 31 of the cover 3 but also the second protruding portions 42 are deformed, load input to the electronic unit 2 is avoided. As a result, the electronic unit 2 is more reliably protected.

[0039] In particular, in the present embodiment, at the two upper first fixing points 71, the bracket 4 is not only fixed to the vehicle body panel P (wheel housing 5), but also the cover 3 is jointly fastened and fixed to the bracket 4 and the vehicle body panel P (wheel housing 5). Therefore, the two upper first fixing points 71 can function in the same manner as the third fixing point 73 between the cover 3 and the bracket 4, so that the cover 3 is less likely to further fall off from the bracket 4, and the protection of the electronic unit 2 is further improved. And, in the present embodiment, together with the first protruding portion 31 of the cover 3, the third fixing point 73 at the front lower part is also provided on the sub-protruding portion 41 of the bracket 4. Therefore, when the collision load is transmitted from the bracket 4 to the cover 3, even if not only the first protruding portion 31 but also the sub-protruding portion 41 is deformed, the collision energy is further absorbed. Therefore, even if the electronic unit 2 interferes with the bracket 4, the sub-protruding portion 41 is deformed on the basis of the first protruding portion 31 and the second protruding portion 42, thereby avoiding the load input to the electronic unit 2. As a result, the electronic unit 2 is more reliably protected.

[0040] Moreover, according to the mounting structure of the present embodiment, the cover 3 is fixed to the bracket 4 above the lower end of the bracket 4. Further, a lower opening 8 is formed between the lower end of the cover 3 and the bracket 4, and the electronic unit 2 has a wire harness connection portion 20 facing the lower opening 8. Therefore, it is easy to lay the wire harness connected to the electronic unit 2 along the front panel, and the handling of the wire harness is improved. In addition, the connection portion of the wire harness connection portion 20 and the wire harness is fragile in terms of structure, but the electronic unit 2 including the wire harness connection portion 20 is protected between the cover 3 and the bracket 4, so that this fragile connection portion is also reliably protected. And, the bracket 4 is interposed between the wire harness connected to the wire harness connection portion 20 and the wheel housing 5 deformed during a rear collision of the vehicle, so that the wire harness can be protected by the wheel housing 5 deformed by the bracket 4.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, regarding the two lower first fixing points 71, the unit assembly 1 (bracket 4) is fixed to the front panel of the luggage compartment. However, at the two lower first fixing points 71, the unit assembly 1 (bracket 4) may be fixed to the vehicle body panel P forming the wheel housing 5. In addition, in the above embodiment, the electronic unit 2 is a DC-AC inverter, but it is not limited thereto.

[0042] Description of reference numerals

[0043] 2 Electronic unit

[0044] 20 Wire harness connection portion

[0045] 3 Cover

[0046] 31 First protruding portion

[0047] 4 Bracket

[0048] 42 Second protruding portion

[0049] 5 Wheel housing

[0050] 6 Rear wheel

[0051] 60 Load-carrying wheel

[0052] 8 (lower) opening

[0053] 71 First fixing point

[0054] 72 Second fixing point

[0055] 73 Third fixing point

[0056] P Body panel

Claims

1. An installation structure, which is an installation structure for an electronic unit at the rear of a vehicle, wherein, the installation structure includes: the electronic unit; and a wheel housing of a rear wheel, which is formed by a body panel of the vehicle, the electronic unit is arranged along the inner surface of the wheel housing in the passenger compartment and is mounted on the body panel via a plurality of first fixing points, when viewed in side view, the electronic unit is located in front of the rearmost end of the loaded wheel of the rear wheel within the wheel housing.

2. The installation structure according to claim 1, wherein, the installation structure further includes: a cover, which fixes the electronic unit at a plurality of second fixing points; and a bracket, which fixes the cover at a plurality of third fixing points, the electronic unit is arranged between the cover and the bracket, the bracket is fixed to the body panel at the first fixing points.

3. The installation structure according to claim 2, wherein, the cover has a plurality of first protruding portions extending forward or backward, the plurality of third fixing points between the cover and the bracket are respectively arranged on the plurality of first protruding portions.

4. The installation structure according to claim 3, wherein, the cover is fixed to the bracket closer to the front end than the rear end of the bracket, when viewed in side view, the projected area of the bracket is larger than the projected area of the cover, and the projected area of the cover is larger than the projected area of the electronic unit, when viewed in side view, the electronic unit completely overlaps with the bracket.

5. The installation structure according to claim 4, wherein, the bracket has a plurality of second protruding portions extending forward or backward, the plurality of first fixing points between the bracket and the body panel are respectively arranged on the plurality of second protruding portions.

6. The installation structure according to claim 5, wherein, the cover is fixed to the bracket closer to the upper end than the lower end of the bracket, an opening is formed between the lower end of the cover and the bracket, the electronic unit has a wire harness connection portion facing the opening.

Images