Electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle includes a vehicle body and a drive device mounted on the vehicle body. A drive device is provided with: an electric motor; a first housing that accommodates the electric motor; a power conversion device electrically connected to the electric motor; and a second housing which is positioned above the first housing, is fixed to the first housing, and accommodates the power conversion device. A space is provided between the first housing and the second housing, the space passing through a first region in which the first housing and the second housing face each other in the vertical direction in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and a wiring or a pipe is connected to the drive device, the wiring or the pipe being located on one side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle with respect to the space. And is disposed so as to be visually recognizable with respect to the space from the other side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle through the space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to electric vehicles. In particular, it relates to electric vehicles equipped with a drive device. Background Art

[0002] In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-105510, a vehicle equipped with a drive motor and a storage battery electrically connected to the drive motor is disclosed. The drive motor is arranged behind the storage battery in the vehicle.

[0003] In the vehicle of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-105510, for example, the electrical wiring connecting the drive motor and the storage battery is located between the two. Therefore, when visually confirming the drive motor and the storage battery from the rear of the vehicle, the electrical wiring connecting the two is sometimes hidden by the drive motor located behind the electrical wiring. Therefore, conventionally, in order to visually confirm the connection state of the wiring connecting the drive motor and the storage battery, for example, it is necessary to remove the drive motor and the storage battery from the vehicle body. In this specification, compared with the prior art, a technology is provided that can easily visually confirm the state of the wiring or piping connected to the drive device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The electric vehicle disclosed in this specification includes: a vehicle body; a drive device mounted on the vehicle body; a pair of left and right wheels that support the vehicle body and are driven by the drive device; and a battery that supplies power to the drive device. The drive device includes: an electric motor; a first housing that houses the electric motor; a power conversion device electrically connected to the electric motor; and a second housing that is located above the first housing, fixed to the first housing, and houses the power conversion device. A space is provided between the first housing and the second housing, and the space penetrates in the vehicle front-rear direction between a first region where the first housing and the second housing face each other in the up-down direction. A wiring or piping is connected to the drive device, and the wiring or piping is located on one side in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the space, and is arranged so as to be visually confirmable from the other side in the vehicle front-rear direction via the space with respect to the space.

[0005] In the above electric vehicle, it is possible to visually confirm the wiring or piping located on one side in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the space that penetrates the first region in the vehicle front-rear direction from the other side in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the space. Therefore, compared with the prior art, it is possible to visually confirm the state of the wiring or piping. Here, the so-called "state of the wiring or piping" includes, for example, whether the wiring or piping is properly connected, whether it has a proper bend within a proper range, and whether foreign matter is attached.

[0006] Details of the technology disclosed in this specification and further improvements are described in the following "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention". BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Hereinafter, features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, and the same reference numerals denote the same elements, where

[0008] Figure 1 A block diagram showing an electric vehicle 10 of the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 Showing along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II.

[0010] Figure 3 Showing Figure 2 A front view in the direction of arrow III.

[0011] Figure 4 Showing along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV.

[0012] Figure 5 Showing Figure 4 A front view in the direction of arrow V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In one embodiment of the present technology, the above wiring or piping may also include electrical wiring that electrically connects the above battery to the above power conversion device.

[0014] With this structure, it is possible to easily visually confirm the state of the electrical wiring that electrically connects the battery to the power conversion device via the space.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present technology, the above vehicle body may also have a floor panel. In this case, the above battery may be disposed below the above floor panel on the above one side in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the above drive device.

[0016] With this structure, it is possible to easily visually confirm the state of the electrical wiring extending upward from the battery located below the floor panel toward the power conversion device via the space.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present technology, at least a part of the above electrical wiring may be located in the second region where the pair of wheels face each other in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] When at least a part of the electrical wiring is located within the second region, it is difficult to visually confirm the state of the electrical wiring from the left - right direction of the vehicle. According to the above - mentioned electric vehicle, the state of the electrical wiring can be easily visually confirmed through the space.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present technology, the above - mentioned electrical wiring may also have a connector. In this case, the above - mentioned connector may also be connected to the above - mentioned second housing within the above - mentioned second region. However, in other embodiments, the connector may also be connected to the second housing in a region other than the region where the pair of left - right wheels face each other in the left - right direction of the vehicle.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present technology, the above - mentioned connector may also be located on one side in the front - rear direction of the vehicle with respect to the above - mentioned space, and is configured to be visually confirmable from the other side in the front - rear direction of the vehicle through the above - mentioned space.

[0021] Based on such a structure, the connector can be easily visually confirmed from the other side through the space.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present technology, the above - mentioned wiring or piping may also include a refrigerant pipe for circulating the refrigerant with respect to the above - mentioned drive device.

[0023] Based on such a structure, the state of the refrigerant pipe can be easily visually confirmed through the space.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present technology, the above - mentioned refrigerant pipe may also connect the above - mentioned battery and the above - mentioned drive device.

[0025] Based on such a structure, the state of the refrigerant pipe extending from the battery located below the floor panel toward the power conversion device can be easily visually confirmed through the space.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present technology, the above - mentioned space may also have a height in the range of 30 mm to 50 mm in the up - down direction of the vehicle.

[0027] Based on such a structure, the wiring or piping can be reliably visually confirmed through the space, and the size of the drive device in the up - down direction can be suppressed from increasing more than necessary.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present technology, the above - mentioned first housing may also include a housing extending in a cylindrical shape from the first end face to the second end face, a first cover mounted on the first end face of the housing, and a second cover mounted on the second end face of the housing. In this case, the above - mentioned second housing may be fixed to the above - mentioned first cover and the above - mentioned second cover, and the above - mentioned first region may be the region where the housing of the above - mentioned first housing and the above - mentioned second housing face each other in the up - down direction.

[0029] If based on this structure, a relatively wide accommodation space can be provided between the cylindrically extending housing and the second outer housing. Thereby, the state of the wiring or piping can be visually confirmed more reliably.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present technology, it may also be that: one side in the vehicle front-rear direction is the front in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the other side in the vehicle front-rear direction is the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction. However, in other embodiments, it may also be that: one side in the vehicle front-rear direction is the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the other side in the vehicle front-rear direction is the front in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present technology, the pair of left and right wheels may also be a pair of rear wheels on the left and right. However, in other embodiments, the pair of left and right wheels may also be a pair of front wheels on the left and right.

[0032] Figure 1 A block diagram showing the electric vehicle 10 of the first embodiment as viewed from above. In this specification, sometimes the front of the electric vehicle 10 (i.e., Figure 1 above the paper surface) is simply represented as "front", and sometimes the opposite side is simply represented as "rear". And sometimes the left side of the electric vehicle 10 (i.e., Figure 1 the left side of the paper surface) is simply represented as "left", and sometimes the opposite side is simply represented as "right". In addition, sometimes the upper side of the electric vehicle 10 (i.e., Figure 1 the near-front direction of the paper surface) is simply represented as "up", and sometimes the opposite side is simply represented as "down".

[0033] The electric vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 2, a battery 3, a pair of left and right front wheels 4R, 4L, a pair of left and right rear wheels 5R, 5L, a radiator 6, a front axle 14, a rear axle 15, a front drive device 20F, and a rear drive device 20R. The electric vehicle 10 travels by driving the pair of left and right front wheels 4R, 4L with the front drive device 20F and driving the pair of left and right rear wheels 5R, 5L with the rear drive device 20R. The electric vehicle 10 is a so-called four-wheel drive vehicle. In addition, for the "electric vehicle" in this specification, for example, it includes a rechargeable electric vehicle charged by an external power source, a fuel cell vehicle using a fuel cell as a power source, and a hybrid vehicle having an engine. Hereinafter, the description of "a pair of left and right" may sometimes be simply described as "a pair".

[0034] The battery 3 is disposed below the floor panel 22 of the vehicle body 2 (refer to Figure 2 ). The battery 3 is, for example, internally provided with lithium-ion single cells. In a modified example, the battery 3 may also be internally provided with other secondary battery monomers (nickel-metal hydride battery monomers, all-solid-state battery monomers).

[0035] A pair of front wheels 4R and 4L are respectively located at the left end and the right end of the front axle 14. The pair of front wheels 4R and 4L support the vehicle body 2 of the electric vehicle 10 via the front axle 14. The front axle 14 extends linearly in the left-right direction. Therefore, the pair of front wheels 4R and 4L face each other in the area A1.

[0036] Similarly, a pair of rear wheels 5R and 5L are respectively located at the left end and the right end of the rear axle 15. The pair of rear wheels 5R and 5L support the vehicle body 2 of the electric vehicle 10 via the rear axle 15. The rear axle 15 extends linearly in the left-right direction. Therefore, the pair of rear wheels 5R and 5L face each other in the area A2.

[0037] The front drive device 20F includes a motor unit 30, an inverter unit 40, and a transmission mechanism unit 50. The inverter unit 40 is located above the motor unit 30 (i.e., Figure 1 in the direction near the front of the paper surface), and is electrically connected to the motor unit 30. The inverter unit 40 is electrically connected to the battery 3 through an electrical wiring 13 that extends rearward from the rear end of the inverter unit 40. DC power of the battery 3 is supplied to the inverter unit 40 via the electrical wiring 13. The transmission mechanism unit 50 includes a side portion that extends in the front-rear direction on the right side of the motor unit 30, and a rear portion that extends in the left-right direction behind the motor unit 30. For detailed content, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 described later, but the transmission mechanism unit 50 is mechanically connected to the front axle 14. The front drive device 20F drives the pair of front wheels 4R and 4L via the front axle 14.

[0038] The rear drive device 20R basically has the same structure as the front drive device 20F. Therefore, the rear drive device 20R also includes a motor unit 30, an inverter unit 40, and a transmission mechanism unit 50. In the rear drive device 20R, the inverter unit 40 is electrically connected to the battery 3 through an electrical wiring 18 that extends forward from the front end of the inverter unit 40. Thus, DC power of the battery 3 is supplied to the inverter unit 40 via the electrical wiring 18. In the rear drive device 20R, the transmission mechanism unit 50 is mechanically connected to the rear axle 15. The rear drive device 20R drives the pair of rear wheels 5R and 5L via the rear axle 15.

[0039] The radiator 6 is disposed at the front end of the electric vehicle 10. The radiator 6 is a device for heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outside air. The refrigerant is, for example, a liquid such as antifreeze or water. The radiator 6 cools the refrigerant by the wind generated by a cooling fan (not shown), for example. The radiator 6 is connected to the converter unit 40 of the front drive device 20F through the first refrigerant pipe 7 and the second refrigerant pipe 8. The converter unit 40 is connected to the battery 3 through the third refrigerant pipe 11 and the fourth refrigerant pipe 12. The battery 3 is connected to the converter unit 40 of the drive device 20R through the fifth refrigerant pipe 16 and the sixth refrigerant pipe 17. The refrigerant flows in the order of the first refrigerant pipe 7, the converter unit 40 of the front drive device 20F, the third refrigerant pipe 11, the battery 3, the fifth refrigerant pipe 16, the converter unit 40 of the rear drive device 20R, the sixth refrigerant pipe 17, the battery 3, the fourth refrigerant pipe 12, the converter unit 40, and the second refrigerant pipe 8 through a radiator pump (not shown), and returns to the radiator 6 again. In this way, the refrigerant circulates in the converter unit 40 of the front drive device 20F, the battery 3, and the converter unit 40 of the rear drive device 20R to cool them. In addition, in a modified example, it may circulate in the motor unit 30 of the front drive device 20F after or before the converter unit 40 of the front drive device 20F and be supplied to the battery 3, or may be directly supplied to the rear drive device 20R bypassing the battery 3.

[0040] Next, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 to describe the detailed structure of the front drive device 20F. Figure 2 It shows a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the front drive device 20F along the line II-II of Figure 1 . Figure 3 It shows a front view of the front drive device 20F in the direction of the arrow III of Figure 2 .

[0041] As Figure 2 shown, the front drive device 20F is mounted in the front compartment F1 of the electric vehicle 10. Figure 3 It shows the front drive device 20F when observing the inside of the front compartment F1 from the front in a state where the front hood (not shown) of the electric vehicle 10 is opened.

[0042] As Figure 3As shown, the front drive device 20F is fixed to the floor panel 22 of the vehicle body 2 by a pair of brackets 9R and 9L. The motor unit 30 of the front drive device 20F includes an electric motor 31 and a first housing 34. The electric motor 31 includes: a rotor 32R having a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction; a stator 32S opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 32R from the radially outer side; and a motor shaft 35 passing through the rotor 32R and extending in the left-right direction. The rotor 32R includes permanent magnets. The electric motor 31 is a radial-type motor. In a modified example, the electric motor 31 may also be an axial-type motor.

[0043] The first housing 34 includes a housing body 34H, a first cover 36R, and a second cover 36L. The housing body 34H is opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the stator 32S of the electric motor 31 from the radially outer side. A first end face 34R located at the right end and a second end face 34L located at the left end of the housing body 34H define openings at the left and right ends of the housing body 34H. The housing body 34H extends in a cylindrical shape in the left-right direction from the first end face 34R to the second end face 34L.

[0044] The first cover 36R is attached to the first end face 34R of the housing body 34H from the right. The first cover 36R has a flat plate shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the motor shaft 35 of the electric motor 31, and covers the opening of the first end face 34R of the housing body 34H from the right. The first cover 36R includes a first bearing 33R. The first bearing 33R holds the motor shaft 35 so as to be rotatable.

[0045] Similarly, the second cover 36L is attached to the second end face 34L of the housing body 34H from the left. The second cover 36L has a flat plate shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the motor shaft 35 of the electric motor 31, and covers the opening of the second end face 34L of the housing body 34H from the left. The second cover 36L includes a second bearing 33L. The second bearing 33L holds the motor shaft 35 so as to be rotatable.

[0046] The first cover 36R includes a first support column 38R extending upward from the upper end of the first cover 36R toward the converter unit 40. Similarly, the second cover 36L includes a second support column 38L extending upward from the upper end of the second cover 36L toward the converter unit 40.

[0047] The converter unit 40 includes a converter 42 and a second housing 44. The converter 42 is a power conversion device that converts the direct current of the battery 3 into alternating current suitable for the electric motor 31. And, the converter 42 may also include a conversion function for boosting the direct current of the battery 3, for example. The second housing 44 houses the converter 42.

[0048] As Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the converter 42 is electrically connected to the battery 3 disposed below the floor panel 22 via the electrical wiring 13. The electrical wiring 13 penetrates the floor panel 22 from the front end of the battery 3 and extends upward to the second housing 44. Thus, the electrical wiring 13 extends beyond the upper end of the housing 34H behind the motor unit 30 to the second housing 44. A connector 13C is disposed at the upper end of the electrical wiring 13. The connector 13C is connected to the connection portion 46 located on the lower surface of the rear portion of the second housing 44. In addition, the connector 13C is located between the pair of front wheels 4R and 4L. That is, the connector 13C is connected to the connection portion 46 of the second housing 44 within the area A1 (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0049] Similarly, the converter 42 is connected to the battery 3 via the third refrigerant pipe 11 and the fourth refrigerant pipe 12. The third refrigerant pipe 11 and the fourth refrigerant pipe 12 respectively penetrate the floor panel 22 from the front end of the battery 3 and extend upward to the second housing 44. Thus, the third refrigerant pipe 11 and the fourth refrigerant pipe 12 extend beyond the upper end of the housing 34H behind the motor unit 30 to the second housing 44. At the rear end face of the second housing 44, connection pipes 11C and 12C that bend from the rear end face and extend downward are disposed. The upper end of the third refrigerant pipe 11 is connected to the connection pipe 11C, and the upper end of the fourth refrigerant pipe 12 is connected to the connection pipe 12C. The upper ends of the third refrigerant pipe 11 and the fourth refrigerant pipe 12 are both located between the pair of front wheels 4R and 4L. That is, the upper ends of the third refrigerant pipe 11 and the fourth refrigerant pipe 12 are respectively connected to the connection pipes 11C and 12C of the second housing 44 within the area A1.

[0050] In addition, as Figure 3 shown, on the side of the first cover 36R, a transmission mechanism unit 50 is mounted. The transmission mechanism unit 50 includes a plurality of gears 52 (refer to Figure 2 ), 56 and a third housing 54 that houses them. The motor shaft 35 of the electric motor 31 penetrates the first cover 36R and further extends to the right (i.e., Figure 3 the left side of the paper surface in the figure) and is rotatably held by the third bearing 53 of the third housing 54. The motor shaft 35 rotates the gear 56 within the third housing 54. The gear 56 meshes with the gear 52 shown in Figure 2 via a plurality of gears (not shown). The gear 52 is fixed to the front axle 14. When the gear 56 rotates by the motor shaft 35, the gear 52 rotates, so that the pair of front wheels 4R and 4L are driven via the front axle 14 (refer to Figure 1 ).

[0051] The first pillar 38R and the second pillar 38L of the motor unit 30 extend upward toward the second housing 44 of the converter unit 40. The right end of the second housing 44 of the converter unit 40 is fixed to the first pillar 38R of the motor unit 30 via the bolt B1. Similarly, the left end of the second housing 44 is fixed to the second pillar 38L via the bolt B1. As a result, the second housing 44 of the converter unit 40 is held above the first housing 34 of the motor unit 30. As a result, a space SP1 is provided between the housing 34H of the first housing 34 and the second housing 44. As Figure 2 shown, the space SP1 penetrates through a region A3 provided between the housing 34H of the first housing 34 and the second housing 44. Here, the region A3 is a region where the housing 34H of the first housing 34 and the second housing 44 face each other in the vertical direction.

[0052] As Figure 2 shown, the electrical wiring 13 is connected to the connecting portion 46 of the second housing 44 behind the space SP1. Therefore, the electrical wiring 13 is located behind the space SP1. Similarly, the third refrigerant pipe 11 and the fourth refrigerant pipe 12 are also connected to the connecting pipes 11C and 12C of the second housing 44 behind the space SP1. Therefore, the third refrigerant pipe 11 and the fourth refrigerant pipe 12 are also located behind the space SP1.

[0053] As Figure 2 shown, within the region A3, in front of the electrical wiring 13 and the third refrigerant pipe 11, there are no components blocking the view. In other words, the front and rear of the space SP1 are open to the outside of the front drive device 20F. That is, between the housing 34H of the first housing 34 and the second housing 44, a space SP1 that penetrates the region A3 in the front-rear direction is provided.

[0054] That is, as Figure 3 shown, within the front compartment F1, the electrical wiring 13, the third refrigerant pipe 11, and the fourth refrigerant pipe 12, which are located behind the space SP1, are arranged so as to be visually confirmable from the front side with respect to the space SP1. In addition, the space SP1 has a height H1 in the vertical direction. The height H1 is, for example, 30 mm. As a result, the visibility of the electrical wiring 13, the third refrigerant pipe 11, and the fourth refrigerant pipe 12 from the front of the space SP1 can be ensured, and an increase in the vertical dimension of the front drive device 20F can be prevented. Therefore, the accommodation space of the front compartment F1 can be increased. In addition, in a modified example, the height H1 of the space SP1 can be, for example, 40 mm or 50 mm.

[0055] Next, with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5 the detailed structure of the rear drive device 20R will be described. Figure 4 Shows alongFigure 1 A cross-sectional view around the rear drive device 20R along line IV-IV. Figure 5 Indicating Figure 4 A front view of the rear drive device 20R in the direction of arrow V.

[0056] As Figure 4 shown, the rear drive device 20R is disposed within the tunnel T1. The tunnel T1 is a space located below the rear portion of the vehicle body 2. Figure 5 The rear drive device 20R is shown as observed from the rear by a worker, for example, located below the electric vehicle 10.

[0057] As Figure 5 shown, the rear drive device 20R is mounted on the lower surface of the vehicle body 2 by a pair of brackets 19R, 19L. As described above, the rear drive device 20R basically has the same structure as the above-described front drive device 20F. Therefore, a space SP2 having a height H2 is provided between the housing 34H of the first housing 34 and the second housing 44 of the rear drive device 20R. As Figure 4 shown, the space SP2 is provided to penetrate through a region A4 between the housing 34H of the first housing 34 and the second housing 44 of the rear drive device 20R. Here, the region A4 is a region where the housing 34H of the first housing 34 and the second housing 44 face each other in the vertical direction. Similar to the above-described space SP1, the height H2 of the space SP2 is, for example, 30 mm. Thereby, the visibility of the electrical wiring 18, the fifth refrigerant pipe 16, and the sixth refrigerant pipe 17 from the rear of the space SP2 can be ensured, and an increase in the vertical dimension of the rear drive device 20R can be prevented. Therefore, the accommodation space of the tunnel T1 can be increased. In addition, in a modified example, the height H2 of the space SP2 can be, for example, 40 mm or 50 mm.

[0058] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, in the rear drive device 20R, the converter 42 is electrically connected to the battery 3 disposed below the floor panel 22 via the electrical wiring 18. The electrical wiring 18 extends upward from the rear end of the battery 3 to the second housing 44 of the rear drive device 20R. Therefore, the electrical wiring 18 extends beyond the upper end of the housing 34H behind the motor unit 30 and reaches the second housing 44. A connector 18C is disposed at the upper end of the electrical wiring 18. The connector 18C is connected to a connection portion 46 disposed on the lower surface of the front portion of the second housing 44. The connector 18C is located between a pair of rear wheels 5R, 5L. That is, as Figure 4 shown, the connector 18C is connected to the connection portion 46 of the second housing 44 within the region A2.

[0059] Similarly, the converter 42 is connected to the battery 3 via the fifth refrigerant pipe 16 and the sixth refrigerant pipe 17. The fifth refrigerant pipe 16 and the sixth refrigerant pipe 17 extend upward from the rear end of the battery 3 to the second housing 44, respectively. Therefore, the fifth refrigerant pipe 16 and the sixth refrigerant pipe 17 extend beyond the upper end of the housing 34H behind the motor unit 30 to the second housing 44. Connection pipes 16C and 17C that bend from the front end face and extend downward are arranged on the front end face of the second housing 44. The upper end of the fifth refrigerant pipe 16 is connected to the connection pipe 16C, and the upper end of the sixth refrigerant pipe 17 is connected to the connection pipe 17C. The upper ends of both the fifth refrigerant pipe 16 and the sixth refrigerant pipe 17 are located between the pair of rear wheels 5R and 5L. The fifth refrigerant pipe 16 and the sixth refrigerant pipe 17 are respectively connected to the connection pipes 16C and 17C of the second housing 44 within the region A2.

[0060] As Figure 4 shown, the electrical wiring 18 is connected to the connection portion 46 of the second housing 44 in front of the space SP2. Therefore, the electrical wiring 18 is located on the front side with respect to the space SP1. Similarly, the fifth refrigerant pipe 16 and the sixth refrigerant pipe 17 are also connected to the connection pipes 16C and 17C of the second housing 44 in front of the space SP2. Therefore, the fifth refrigerant pipe 16 and the sixth refrigerant pipe 17 are also located on the front side with respect to the space SP2.

[0061] Within the region A4, behind the electrical wiring 18, the fifth refrigerant pipe 16, and the sixth refrigerant pipe 17, there are no components that obstruct the view. In other words, the front and rear directions of the space SP2 are open to the outside of the rear drive device 20R. That is, in the rear drive device 20R, a space SP2 that penetrates the region A4 in the front-rear direction is provided between the housing 34H of the first housing 34 and the second housing 44.

[0062] That is, as Figure 5 shown, within the tunnel T1, the electrical wiring 18, the fifth refrigerant pipe 16, and the sixth refrigerant pipe 17, which are located on the front side with respect to the space SP2, are arranged so as to be visually confirmable from the rear side with respect to the space SP2.

[0063] In the front drive device 20F, it is possible to visually confirm the electrical wiring 13, the third refrigerant pipe 11, and the fourth refrigerant pipe 12 located at the rear with respect to the space SP1 from the front side with respect to the space SP1. Similarly, in the rear drive device 20R, it is possible to visually confirm the electrical wiring 18, the fifth refrigerant pipe 16, and the sixth refrigerant pipe 17 located at the front with respect to the space SP2 from the rear side with respect to the space SP2. Thus, in the electric vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, compared with the prior art in which each drive device 20F, 20R, and the battery 3 are removed from the vehicle body 2 in order to visually confirm the states of the respective electrical wirings 13, 18, and the respective refrigerant pipes 11, 12, 16, 17, it is possible to easily visually confirm the states of the respective electrical wirings 13, 18, and the respective refrigerant pipes 11, 12, 16, 17. For example, it is possible to easily visually confirm whether the electrical wiring 13 has a bend within an appropriate range.

[0064] In addition, according to the electric vehicle 10, since the connector 13C of the electrical wiring 13 is located behind the space SP1, it is possible to easily visually confirm the connection state of the connection portion 46 with the converter unit 40 from the front via the space SP1. And since the upper end of the third refrigerant pipe 11 connected to the connection pipe 11C is located behind the space SP1, it is possible to easily visually confirm the connection state of the connection pipe 11C and the third refrigerant pipe 11 from the front via the space SP1.

[0065] In addition, as described above, for example, the connector 13C and the connection portion 46 are connected within the region A1. Therefore, for example, when visually confirming the state of the connector 13C from the right side, it is necessary to remove the front wheel 4R. In the electric vehicle 10, it is not necessary to remove the front wheel 4R, and it is possible to easily visually confirm the state of the connector 13C from the front via the space SP1. Similarly, the connection pipe 11C and the upper end of the third refrigerant pipe 11 are connected within the region A1. Therefore, in the electric vehicle 10, it is not necessary to remove the front wheel 4R, and it is possible to easily visually confirm the state of the third refrigerant pipe 11 from the front via the space SP1. Similarly, since the connector 18C and the connection portion 46 are connected within the region A2, it is not necessary to remove the rear wheel 5R, and it is possible to easily visually confirm the state of the connector 18C from the rear via the space SP2.

[0066] The front drive device 20F and the rear drive device 20R are each an example of a "drive device". The front wheels 4R, 4L and the rear wheels 5R, 5L are each an example of a "wheel". The converter 42 is an example of a "power conversion device". The regions A1 and A2 are each an example of a "first region". The regions A3 and A4 are each an example of a "second region".

[0067] As described above, specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail, but they are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the technical solution. For the technology described in the technical solution, it includes the technology obtained by making various deformations and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. Hereinafter, deformation examples of the above-described embodiments will be listed.

[0068] As a first deformation example, the electric vehicle 10 may be provided with only the front drive device 20F or may be provided with only the rear drive device 20R.

[0069] As a second deformation example, the front drive device 20F may also be provided with wiring that is located on the rear side of the space SP1 and electrically connects the electric motor 31 and the converter 42. In this case, the electrical wiring 13 may not be located on the rear side with respect to the space SP1.

[0070] As a third deformation example, the connector 13C may not be located within the region A1. Additionally, in another deformation example, the connector 13C may be connected to a connection portion 46 provided on the rear end surface of the second housing 44. In this deformation example, the connector 13C may not be located behind the space SP1.

[0071] As a fourth deformation example, the height H1 of the space SP1 may be less than 30 mm or may be greater than 50 mm.

[0072] As a fifth deformation example, in the above-described embodiment, the second housing 44 of the converter unit 40 is fixed to the respective covers 36R and 36L of the motor unit 30. In this deformation example, the second housing 44 may also be fixed to, for example, a bracket provided on the upper surface of the first housing 34 of the motor unit 30.

[0073] As a sixth deformation example, each of the drive devices 20F and 20R may not be provided with the transmission mechanism unit 50. In this case, the transmission mechanism unit 50 may be arranged separately from each of the drive devices 20F and 20R. In other deformation examples, the third housing 54 of the transmission mechanism unit 50 may be adjacent to the first housing 34 of the motor unit 30 from the rear or may be adjacent from the left and right directions.

[0074] The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility alone or through various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations recited in the claims at the time of filing. Additionally, the technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings is capable of achieving multiple purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of the purposes itself has technical utility.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, wherein, Comprising: A vehicle body; A drive device mounted on the vehicle body; A pair of left and right wheels that support the vehicle body and are driven by the drive device; and A battery that supplies power to the drive device, The drive device comprises: An electric motor; A first housing that houses the electric motor; A power conversion device electrically connected to the electric motor; and A second housing located above the first housing, fixed to the first housing, and housing the power conversion device, A space is provided between the first housing and the second housing, and the space penetrates the first regions of the first housing and the second housing that face each other in the vertical direction in the vehicle front-rear direction, Wiring or piping is connected to the drive device, The wiring or piping is located on one side in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the space, and is arranged so as to be visually confirmed from the other side in the vehicle front-rear direction via the space with respect to the space.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The wiring or piping includes electrical wiring that electrically connects the battery and the power conversion device.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein The vehicle body has a floor panel, The battery is arranged below the floor panel on the one side in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the drive device.

4. The electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein At least a part of the electrical wiring is located in a second region where the pair of left and right wheels face each other in the vehicle left-right direction.

5. The electric vehicle according to claim 4, wherein The electrical wiring has a connector, The connector is connected to the second housing in the second region.

6. The electric vehicle according to claim 5, wherein The connector is located on one side in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the space, and is arranged so as to be visually confirmed from the other side in the vehicle front-rear direction via the space with respect to the space.

7. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The wiring or piping includes a refrigerant pipe for circulating refrigerant relative to the drive device.

8. The electric vehicle according to claim 7, wherein The refrigerant pipe connects between the battery and the drive device.

9. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The space has a height in the range of 30 mm to 50 mm in the vehicle vertical direction.

10. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The first housing includes a housing extending in a cylindrical shape from a first end face to a second end face, a first cover mounted on the first end face of the housing, and a second cover mounted on the second end face of the housing, The second housing is fixed to the first cover and the second cover, The first region is a region where the housing of the first housing and the second housing face each other in the vertical direction.

11. The electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein The one side in the vehicle front-rear direction is the front in the vehicle front-rear direction, The other side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is the rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

12. The electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the pair of left and right wheels are a pair of left and right rear wheels.

13. The electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein one side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is the rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the other side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is the front in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

14. The electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the pair of left and right wheels are a pair of left and right front wheels.

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