Vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle. A vehicle includes a battery, a relay unit, and at least one electric unit. The relay unit includes: a housing; at least one relay disposed within the housing and having a first terminal and a second terminal; a first circuit that is disposed within the housing and electrically connects the battery and the first terminal of the relay; and a second circuit disposed within the housing and electrically connecting the at least one electrical unit and the second terminal of the relay. The first circuit is positioned further toward the inside of the vehicle than the second circuit in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to vehicles. Background Art

[0002] In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-088934, a relay unit mounted on a vehicle is described. This relay unit electrically connects the vehicle's battery and multiple in-vehicle loads. Summary of the Invention

[0003] When a vehicle collides, a part of the vehicle body, other adjacent in-vehicle units, etc. may come into contact with the above relay unit. At this time, it is desirable to suppress the influence on the circuit inside the housing due to damage to the housing of the relay unit. This specification provides a technology capable of suppressing the influence on the circuit inside the housing due to damage to the housing of the relay unit.

[0004] The technology disclosed in this specification is embodied as a vehicle. The vehicle includes: a vehicle body; multiple wheels that support the vehicle body; a motor that drives at least one of the multiple wheels; a battery that is electrically connected to the motor; a relay unit that is electrically connected to the battery; and at least one electrical unit that is electrically connected to the relay unit. The relay unit has: a housing; at least one relay that is disposed inside the housing and has a first terminal and a second terminal; a first circuit that is disposed inside the housing and electrically connects the battery and the first terminal of the relay; and a second circuit that is disposed inside the housing and electrically connects the at least one electrical unit and the second terminal of the relay. The first circuit is located closer to the vehicle interior than the second circuit in the vehicle left-right direction.

[0005] In the above vehicle, a relay is provided inside the relay unit, and the circuit inside the relay unit is divided into a first circuit and a second circuit with the relay as the boundary. The first circuit electrically connected to the battery is located closer to the vehicle interior than the second circuit in the vehicle left-right direction. According to such a structure, even when the housing of the relay unit is damaged from the side of the vehicle, the influence on the first circuit can be suppressed. On the other hand, although the second circuit may be affected, the second circuit can be electrically disconnected from the battery in advance using the relay. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] Hereinafter, the features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same components, and in the drawings:

[0007] Figure 1is a top view of a vehicle and shows the positional relationship of each electrical unit.

[0008] Figure 2 Shows a block diagram of the vehicle.

[0009] Figure 3 Shows a side view of the rear of the vehicle.

[0010] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the relay unit. Detailed implementation mode

[0011] In the first aspect of the present technology, as described above, the vehicle may include: a vehicle body; a plurality of wheels that support the vehicle body; an electric motor that drives at least one of the plurality of wheels; a battery that is electrically connected to the electric motor; a relay unit that is electrically connected to the battery; and at least one electrical unit that is electrically connected to the relay unit. The relay unit may include: a housing; at least one relay that is disposed within the housing and has a first terminal and a second terminal; a first circuit that is disposed within the housing and electrically connects the battery to the first terminal of the relay; and a second circuit that is disposed within the housing and electrically connects the at least one electrical unit to the second terminal of the relay. The first circuit may be located closer to the inner side of the vehicle than the second circuit in the vehicle left-right direction.

[0012] In the second aspect of the present technology, it may also be that, on the basis of the first aspect above, the vehicle body has a wheel housing that houses one of the plurality of wheels. In this case, it may also be that at least one surface of the housing faces the wheel housing in the vehicle left-right direction. According to such a structure, when a collision occurs to the vehicle, the relatively rigid wheel housing may come into contact with the relay unit. In this case, the possibility of damage to the housing of the relay unit is further increased. However, by adopting the present technology, it is possible to suppress the influence on the first circuit due to damage to the housing.

[0013] In the third aspect of the present technology, it may also be that, on the basis of the first aspect or the second aspect above, the vehicle body includes a rear compartment located at the rear of the vehicle body, and the relay unit is disposed within the rear compartment. However, in other aspects, the relay unit may be disposed within a front compartment located at the front of the vehicle body, or may be disposed below the floor panel of the vehicle body.

[0014] In the fourth aspect of the present technology, it may also be that, on the basis of the above third aspect, the rear cabin includes a luggage compartment. It may also be that the relay unit is arranged in the rear cabin and is located below the luggage compartment. According to such a structure, even when the arrangement of the relay unit is restricted in a relatively narrow space, it is possible to suppress the influence on the first circuit due to damage to the housing.

[0015] In the fifth aspect of the present technology, it may also be that, on the basis of any one of the above first to fourth aspects, the relay is maintained in an open state during the running of the vehicle. According to such a structure, for example, even when the vehicle collides and the second circuit is exposed to the outside, it is possible to reliably cut off the second circuit from the battery in advance.

[0016] In the sixth aspect of the present technology, it may also be that, on the basis of the above fifth aspect, the relay is configured to electrically cut off the second circuit from the battery when in the open state.

[0017] In the seventh aspect of the present technology, it may also be that, on the basis of any one of the above first to sixth aspects, the at least one electrical unit includes a charging inlet, and an external DC power supply can be detachably connected to the charging inlet.

[0018] In the eighth aspect of the present technology, it may also be that, on the basis of any one of the above first to seventh aspects, the vehicle further includes an air-conditioning compressor. In this case, it may also be that the air-conditioning compressor is connected to the first circuit of the relay unit. That is, it may also be that the relay unit has a function of relaying between the battery and the air-conditioning compressor.

[0019] In the ninth aspect of the present technology, it may also be that, on the basis of any one of the above first to eighth aspects, the vehicle further includes an auxiliary battery and a DC-DC converter. In this case, it may also be that the auxiliary battery is connected to the first circuit of the relay unit via the DC-DC converter. And it may also be that the DC-DC converter is configured to convert the DC power from the battery into DC power with a low voltage (for example, 30 volts or less) supplied to the auxiliary battery. That is, it may also be that the relay unit has a function of relaying between the battery and the auxiliary battery.

[0020] In the tenth form of the present technology, it may also be that, based on any one of the first to ninth forms, the vehicle further includes a power supply outlet and an inverter for power supply. In this case, it may also be that the power supply outlet is connected to the first circuit of the relay unit via the inverter. Furthermore, it may also be that the inverter is configured to be able to convert the DC power from the battery into AC power supplied from the power supply outlet to the outside. That is, it may also be that the relay unit has the function of relaying between the battery and the power supply outlet.

[0021] Hereinafter, representative and non-limiting specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This detailed description is intended to simply show those skilled in the art the details for implementing the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, in order to provide a further improved vehicle, the additional features and inventions disclosed below can be used separately or together with other features and inventions.

[0022] In addition, the combination of features and processes disclosed in the following detailed description is not necessary for practicing the present invention in the broadest sense, and is only recorded for the purpose of specifically illustrating the representative specific examples of the present invention. Moreover, the various features of the representative specific examples described above and below and the various features described in the independent claims and dependent claims do not necessarily need to be combined as in the specific examples described herein or in the order listed to provide additional and useful embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] All features described in this specification and / or claims are different from the structures of features described in the embodiments and / or claims, and are intended to be disclosed separately and independently of each other as limitations on specific matters disclosed and claimed at the time of the application. In addition, all records related to numerical ranges and groups or sets are intended to disclose their intermediate structures as limitations on specific matters disclosed and claimed at the time of the application.

[0024] The vehicle 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle 10 of the embodiment is a battery electric vehicle (BEV). However, the vehicle 10 is not limited to a BEV, and may be another type of electric vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

[0025] Here, the direction FR in the drawings represents the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the opposite direction represents the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Additionally, the direction LH represents the left in the lateral direction (or width direction) of the vehicle, and the opposite direction represents the right in the lateral direction of the vehicle. Also, the direction UP represents the upper side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the opposite direction represents the lower side in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In this specification, the front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the left side in the lateral direction of the vehicle, the right side in the lateral direction of the vehicle, the upper side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the lower side in the vertical direction of the vehicle may sometimes be simply referred to as the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.

[0026] As Figure 1 , Figure 2 shown, the vehicle 10 includes a body 12 and a plurality of wheels 14f, 14r. The body 12 is made of a metal such as a steel-based material or an aluminum-based material, for example. The plurality of wheels 14f, 14r support the body 12. The plurality of wheels 14f, 14r includes a pair of front wheels 14f located at the front of the body 12 and a pair of rear wheels 14r located at the rear of the body 12. The pair of front wheels 14f are respectively located on the left and right of the body 12. The pair of rear wheels 14r are respectively located on the left and right of the body 12.

[0027] Inside the body 12, a cockpit 12c, a front compartment 12f, and a rear compartment 12r are defined. The front compartment 12f is located at the front of the body 12. The rear compartment 12r is located at the rear of the body 12. The cockpit 12c is configured for an occupant to board. The cockpit 12c is located between the front compartment 12f and the rear compartment 12r. The body 12 has a floor panel 16, an instrument panel 18, and a plurality of wheel housings 20. The floor panel 16 defines the floor of the cockpit 12c. The instrument panel 18 is interposed between the cockpit 12c and the front compartment 12f. Each wheel housing 20 houses a corresponding one of the plurality of wheels 14f, 14r. The pair of wheel housings 20 that house the front wheels 14f are located at both ends in the lateral direction of the front compartment 12f. The pair of wheel housings 20 that house the rear wheels 14r are located at both ends in the lateral direction of the rear compartment 12r.

[0028] As Figure 3 shown, a seat 22 for an occupant of the vehicle 10 is arranged in the cockpit 12c. The seat 22 is a rear seat arranged at the rear of the cockpit 12c. The rear compartment 12r is located behind the seat 22. A luggage compartment 12r1 is also defined above the rear compartment 12r. The body 12 has a luggage compartment floor panel 24 arranged in the rear compartment 12r. The luggage compartment floor panel 24 defines the floor of the luggage compartment 12r1.

[0029] As Figures 1-3As shown, the vehicle 10 includes a battery unit 26, a motor unit 28, a power control unit (PCU) 30, a relay unit 32, a charging inlet 40, an auxiliary battery 42, a DC-DC converter 44, an air-conditioning compressor 46, an inverter for the compressor 48, a power supply outlet 50, and an inverter for power supply 52.

[0030] The battery unit 26 has a housing 26a, a battery 26b, and a system main relay 26c, and is configured to be capable of charging and discharging. The battery 26b and the system main relay 26c are housed inside the housing 26a. The battery 26b has one or more secondary battery cells. The secondary battery cells are not particularly limited, but for example, they can be lithium-ion battery cells or all-solid-state battery cells. The battery unit 26 is disposed below the floor panel 16.

[0031] The motor unit 28 is electrically connected to the battery 26b via the PCU 30 and the system main relay 26c. The motor unit 28 is connected to a pair of front wheels 14f via a speed reducer (not shown). The motor unit 28 has a driving motor for driving the pair of front wheels 14f using the electric power supplied from the battery 26b. However, the motor unit 28 is not limited to driving the pair of front wheels 14f, and may drive at least one of the plurality of wheels 14f, 14r. The motor unit 28 may also be disposed in the front compartment 12f.

[0032] The PCU 30 is electrically connected to the battery 26b and the motor unit 28, respectively. The PCU 30 includes an inverter, a converter, etc. The PCU 30 controls the supplied electric power between the battery 26b and the motor unit 28. Or, when the vehicle 10 decelerates, the PCU 30 controls the regenerative electric power supplied from the motor unit 28 to the battery 26b. In addition, although not particularly limited, the PCU 30 may be disposed in the front compartment 12f and above the motor unit 28.

[0033] The relay unit 32 is electrically connected to the battery 26b via the system main relay 26c. In addition, a plurality of electrical units 40, 44, 48, 52 are electrically connected to the relay unit 32, respectively. The relay unit 32 electrically relays between the battery 26b and the plurality of electrical units 40, 44, 48, 52. Although not particularly limited, the plurality of electrical units 40, 44, 48, 52 include the charging inlet 40, the DC-DC converter 44, the inverter for the compressor 48, and the inverter for power supply 52. The relay unit 32 is located in the rear compartment 12r. Specifically, it is disposed below the luggage compartment 12r1. The relay unit 32 is disposed between a pair of wheel housings 20 in the left-right direction. More specifically, at least one outer peripheral surface of the relay unit 32 faces the wheel housing 20. Specifically, the relay unit 32 is closer to the wheel housing 20 than other electrical units 44, 48, 52, etc. disposed in the rear compartment 12r.

[0034] The charging inlet 40 is located at the rear of the vehicle body 12. The charging inlet 40 is connected to an external DC power source via a cable 2. The charging inlet 40 is configured to allow the connector 4 of the cable 2 to be attached and detached. The external DC power source is, for example, a charging station or the like. The charging inlet 40 receives charging power for charging the battery 26b from the external DC power source.

[0035] The auxiliary battery 42 has secondary battery cells and is configured to be chargeable and dischargeable. The rated voltage of the auxiliary battery 42 is approximately 12 volts. The auxiliary battery 42 is connected to various control systems and other auxiliary devices of the vehicle 10 and supplies power to them. The secondary battery cells are not particularly limited and may be, for example, lithium-ion battery cells or all-solid-state battery cells. The auxiliary battery 42 is disposed below the luggage compartment 12r1 in the rear compartment 12r.

[0036] The DC-DC converter 44 is connected to the auxiliary battery 42. The auxiliary battery 42 is electrically connected to the relay unit 32 via the DC-DC converter 44. The DC-DC converter 44 is configured to be able to convert DC power from the battery 26b into DC power at a low voltage (e.g., 30 volts or less) supplied to the auxiliary battery 42. The DC-DC converter 44 is disposed below the luggage compartment 12r1 in the rear compartment 12r.

[0037] The air-conditioning compressor 46 is a device that compresses refrigerant gas in the air-conditioning heat pump circuit mounted on the vehicle 10. The air-conditioning compressor 46 is connected to the relay unit 32 via the compressor inverter 48. The compressor inverter 48 is configured to be able to convert DC power from the battery 26b into AC power supplied to the air-conditioning compressor 46. The compressor inverter 48 controls the operation of the air-conditioning compressor 46 by adjusting the supply power supplied to the air-conditioning compressor 46. The compressor inverter 48 is disposed below the luggage compartment 12r1 in the rear compartment 12r.

[0038] The power supply outlet 50 is configured to allow electrical devices to be attached and detached. The power supply outlet 50 outputs DC power to electrical devices. Although not particularly limited, the power supply outlet 50 is configured to be able to perform high-output power supply of, for example, 600 watts or more and 1500 watts or less. The electrical devices mentioned here include, for example, household electrical appliances (e.g., dryers, water heaters, etc.), personal computers, smartphones, tablet terminals, etc. The power supply outlet 50 is disposed in the cockpit 12c.

[0039] The power supply inverter 52 is connected to the power supply outlet 50. The power supply outlet 50 is connected to the relay unit 32 via the power supply inverter 52. The power supply inverter 52 is configured to be able to convert the DC power from the battery 26b into AC power supplied from the power supply outlet 50 to the outside of the vehicle 10. The power supply inverter 52 is arranged below the luggage compartment 12r1 of the rear compartment 12r. Here, the power supply inverter 52 is an example of the "power conversion circuit for power supply" in the present technology.

[0040] Refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 , the detailed structure of the relay unit 32 will be described. As Figure 2 shown, the relay unit 32 is electrically connected to the battery 26b via the system main relay 26c and the first cable 54. The first cable 54 has a first connector 54a. The first connector 54a is configured to be detachable from the relay unit 32. The relay unit 32 is connected to the charging inlet 40 via the second cable 56. The second cable 56 has a second connector 56a. The second connector 56a is configured to be detachable from the relay unit 32. The relay unit 32 is connected to the DC-DC converter 44 via the third cable 58. The third cable 58 has a third connector 58a. The third connector 58a is configured to be detachable from the relay unit 32. The relay unit 32 is connected to the compressor inverter 48 via the fourth cable 60. The fourth cable 60 has a fourth connector 60a. The fourth connector 60a is configured to be detachable from the relay unit 32. The relay unit 32 is connected to the power supply inverter 52 via the fifth cable 62. The fifth cable 62 has a fifth connector 62a. The fifth connector 62a is configured to be detachable from the relay unit 32.

[0041] As Figure 4 shown, the relay unit 32 has a housing 34. The housing 34 is made of a metal such as an aluminum-based material, for example. The housing 34 generally has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an upper surface and a lower surface (not shown) and a front side surface 34s1, a left side surface 34s2, a rear side surface 34s3, and a right side surface 34s4 disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The right side surface 34s4 of the housing 34 faces the wheel housing 20 located at the right end of the vehicle body 12. The housing 34 has a first connector port 34a, a second connector port 34b, a third connector port 34c, a fourth connector port 34d, and a fifth connector port 34e. As an example, the first connector port 34a is located on the front side surface 34s1 of the housing 34. The second connector port 34b is located on the rear side surface 34s3 of the housing 34. The third connector port 34c and the fourth connector port 34d are located on the left side surface 34s2 of the housing 34. The fifth connector port 34e is located on the upper surface of the housing 34 and is not shown in Figure 4 .

[0042] AsFigure 2 , Figure 4 As shown in Figure 4 , the first connector port 34a is configured to be detachable from the first connector 54a of the first cable 54, and is electrically connected to the battery 26b via the system main relay 26c and the first cable 54. The second connector port 34b is configured to be detachable from the second connector 56a of the second cable 56, and is electrically connected to the charging inlet 40 via the second cable 56. The third connector port 34c is configured to be detachable from the third connector 58a of the third cable 58, and is electrically connected to the DC-DC converter 44 via the third cable 58. The fourth connector port 34d is configured to be detachable from the fourth connector 60a of the fourth cable 60, and is electrically connected to the compressor inverter 48 via the fourth cable 60. The fifth connector port 34e is configured to be detachable from the fifth connector 62a of the fifth cable 62, and is electrically connected to the power supply inverter 52 via the fifth cable 62.

[0043] The relay unit 32 has a circuit unit 35 inside the housing 34. The circuit unit 35 has a pair of relays 36, a first circuit 37, and a second circuit 38. The first circuit 37 is electrically connected to each one end (first terminal) of the pair of relays 36, and the second circuit 38 is electrically connected to each other end (second terminal) of the pair of relays 36. That is, inside the relay unit 32, the first circuit 37 is electrically connected to the second circuit 38 via the pair of relays 36.

[0044] The pair of relays 36 are arranged between the first circuit 37 and the second circuit 38. The first circuit 37 is arranged in the left part of the housing 34, and is located between the pair of relays 36 and the left side surface 34s2 of the housing 34 when viewed from above. The second circuit 38 is arranged in the right part of the housing 34, and is located between the pair of relays 36 and the right side surface 34s4 of the housing 34 when viewed from above. Thus, in the vehicle 10, the first circuit 37 is located at a position closer to the vehicle interior than the second circuit 38 in the left-right direction.

[0045] The first circuit 37 has a pair of bus bars 37a connected to the first connector port 34a. As described above, the battery 26b is electrically connected to the first connector port 34a via the system main relay 26c and the first cable 54. When the vehicle 10 is running, the system main relay 26c is closed, and the motor unit 28 is electrically connected to the battery 26b. When the system main relay 26c is closed, the first connector port 34a is electrically connected to the battery 26b via the system main relay 26c. As a result, during the running of the vehicle 10, a high voltage from the battery 26b is applied to the first circuit 37, and the first circuit 37 is maintained in a charged state. Therefore, the first circuit 37 is electrically connected to the battery 26b, and electrically connects the battery 26b to each one end of the pair of relays 36.

[0046] The first circuit 37 also has a pair of bus bars 37b connected to the third connector port 34c. Thus, the first circuit 37 is electrically connected to the DC-DC converter 44 via the third cable 58 connected to the third connector port 34c. The first circuit 37 also has a pair of bus bars 37c connected to the fourth connector port 34d. Thus, the first circuit 37 is electrically connected to the compressor inverter 48 via the fourth cable 60 connected to the fourth connector port 34d. The first circuit 37 also has a pair of bus bars 37d connected to the fifth connector port 34e. Thus, the first circuit 37 is electrically connected to the power supply inverter 52 via the fifth cable 62 connected to the fifth connector port 34e.

[0047] The second circuit 38 has a pair of bus bars 38a connected to the second connector port 34b. As described above, the charging inlet 40 is electrically connected to the second connector port 34b via the second cable 56. Therefore, the second circuit 38 is electrically connected to the charging inlet 40 and electrically connects the charging inlet 40 to the other ends of the pair of relays 36.

[0048] The pair of relays 36 are opened and closed, for example, by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle 10. When the pair of relays 36 are in the open state, the second circuit 38 is disconnected from the first circuit 37. When the pair of relays 36 are in the closed state, the second circuit 38 is electrically connected to the first circuit 37 and electrically connected to the battery 26b. As described above, the charging inlet 40 is electrically connected to the second circuit 38. Therefore, for example, when charging the battery 26b of the vehicle 10, the pair of relays 36 are closed. On the other hand, during the running of the vehicle 10, the pair of relays 36 are maintained in the open state. In addition, the number of relays 36 is not limited to two. The control device may also use a single or three or more relays 36 to control the connection / disconnection between the second circuit 38 and the first circuit 37.

[0049] In the case where the above-mentioned vehicle 10 has a collision (such as a side collision or a rear-end collision), for example, a part of the vehicle body 12 such as the wheel housing 20 of the vehicle 10 or other adjacent in-vehicle units may come into contact with the relay unit 32. At this time, since the housing 34 of the relay unit 32 is damaged, it is conceivable that the circuit inside the housing 34 is exposed to the outside. Since the battery 26b is electrically connected to the relay unit 32, it is desirable to avoid the circuit electrically connected to the battery 26b from being exposed to the outside even if the housing 34 is damaged.

[0050] Regarding this, in the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, a pair of relays 36 are provided in the relay unit 32, and the circuit in the relay unit 32 is divided into a first circuit 37 and a second circuit 38 with the pair of relays 36 as the boundary. The first circuit 37 electrically connected to the battery 26b is located closer to the vehicle interior than the second circuit 38 in the left-right direction. According to such a structure, even when the housing 34 of the relay unit 32 is damaged from the side of the vehicle (the right side in the present embodiment), it is possible to suppress the first circuit 37 from being exposed to the outside of the housing 34. On the other hand, although the second circuit 38 may be exposed to the outside of the housing 34, the second circuit 38 can be electrically disconnected from the battery 26b in advance by using the pair of relays 36. In particular, in the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, the pair of relays 36 are maintained in an open state during driving. Thus, since the second circuit 38 is maintained in a non-energized state, even when the second circuit 38 is exposed due to a collision of the vehicle 10, the safety of the vehicle 10 can be improved.

[0051] In the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, the relay unit 32 is arranged between a pair of wheel housings 20 in the left-right direction. According to such a structure, when the vehicle 10 collides (for example, a right-side collision or a rear-end collision), the relatively rigid wheel housings 20 may come into contact with the relay unit 32. In this case, the possibility of damage to the housing 34 of the relay unit 32 is further increased. However, by adopting the present technology, it is possible to avoid or suppress the first circuit 37 from being exposed to the outside of the housing 34. Thus, since the possibility of the first circuit 37, which is applied with a high voltage and becomes energized, coming into contact with the surrounding members or the occupants of the vehicle 10 can be reduced, the safety of the vehicle 10 can be improved.

[0052] In the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, the relay unit 32 is located below the luggage compartment 12r1 in the rear compartment 12r. As can be understood from Figure 1 and Figure 3 As can be understood, the space below the luggage compartment 12r1 is narrower than other spaces, and various electrical units are arranged in this space. Even when the arrangement of the relay unit 32 is restricted in such a relatively narrow space, it is possible to avoid or suppress the first circuit 37 from being exposed to the outside of the housing 34. However, the position of the relay unit 32 is not limited to below the luggage compartment 12r1 in the rear compartment 12r. The relay unit 32 can be arranged in the luggage compartment 12r1, can be arranged in the front compartment 12f, or can also be arranged below the floor panel 16.

[0053] In the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, the power supply outlet 50 is arranged in the cockpit 12c. However, in a modified example, the position of the power supply outlet 50 may not be the cockpit 12c and may be located in the luggage compartment 12r1.

[0054] The charging inlet 40 in this embodiment is an example of the "electrical unit" in this technology. However, the "electrical unit" in this technology, that is, the electrical unit connected to the second circuit 38, is not limited to the charging inlet 40 and can also be various other types of electrical units. In this case, the electrical unit can be an electrical unit that is not expected to be used during the driving of the vehicle 10. For example, when it is not expected to be used during the driving of the vehicle 10, a power supply outlet arranged in a space outside the cockpit 12c (such as the luggage compartment 12r1) is an example of the "electrical unit" in this technology. In addition, in this embodiment, a collision where the second circuit 38 is exposed from the housing 34 is illustrated, but the degree of the collision is not limited to this. According to this technology, the influence of the collision on the first circuit 37 can be reduced regardless of the degree of the collision in the vehicle 10.

Claims

1. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises: Car body; a plurality of wheels, the plurality of wheels supporting the vehicle body; a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of wheels; a battery, the battery being electrically connected to the motor; a relay unit, the relay unit being electrically connected to the battery; and At least one electrical unit, the at least one electrical unit is electrically connected to the relay unit, wherein, The relay unit comprises: case; at least one relay, the at least one relay being disposed in the housing and having a first terminal and a second terminal; a first circuit disposed in the housing and electrically connecting the battery to the first terminal of the relay; and a second circuit, the second circuit being disposed in the housing and electrically connecting the at least one electrical unit to the second terminal of the relay, The first circuit is located on an inner side of the vehicle than the second circuit in a left-right direction of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The vehicle body includes a wheel cover, the wheel cover accommodating one of the plurality of wheels, At least one surface of the housing faces the wheel house in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that The vehicle body includes a rear compartment located at the rear of the vehicle body, The relay unit is arranged in the rear cabin.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that The rear cabin includes a luggage compartment, The relay unit is arranged in the rear compartment and is located below the luggage compartment.

5. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The relay is maintained in an open state during running of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that The relay is configured to disconnect the second circuit from the battery electricity when the relay is in the open state.

7. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The at least one electric unit includes a charging inlet to which an external DC power source is detachably connected.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The vehicle further includes an air-conditioning compressor connected to the first circuit of the relay unit.

9. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The vehicle also includes an auxiliary battery and a DC-DC converter, The auxiliary battery is connected to the first circuit of the relay unit via the DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter is configured to convert DC power from the battery into low-voltage DC power to be supplied to the auxiliary battery.

10. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The vehicle further includes a power supply outlet and an inverter for powering the vehicle. The power supply outlet is connected to the first circuit of the relay unit via the inverter. The inverter is configured to convert DC power from the battery into AC power to be supplied from the power supply outlet to the outside of the vehicle.

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