Electric vehicle

Abstract

The present application aims to avoid or suppress excessive temperature rise of a drive unit in the case where a plate-shaped reinforcing member is provided above the drive unit. An electric vehicle is provided with a vehicle body, a plurality of wheels supported by the vehicle body, a drive unit having a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of wheels, and a plate-shaped reinforcing member that extends in a vehicle width direction above the drive unit and is connected to the vehicle body at both ends. The drive unit is supported by the vehicle body in a manner that running air is supplied from the front of the vehicle. At least one air vent is provided in the reinforcing member at a position opposite to a portion in which the motor is accommodated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to an electric vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle includes: a vehicle body; a plurality of wheels supported by the vehicle body; and a drive unit having a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of wheels. The drive unit is supported by the vehicle body in a manner that supplies airflow from the front of the vehicle.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-131043 Summary of the Invention

[0004] A plate-shaped reinforcing member extending along the width of the vehicle above the drive unit and connected to the vehicle body at both ends could be considered in the electric vehicle described above. In this case, the reinforcing member covering the drive unit would obstruct the flow of air around the drive unit, potentially causing excessive temperature rise in the rear drive unit.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned actual situation, this specification provides a technique to avoid or suppress excessive temperature rise of the drive unit when a plate-shaped reinforcing member is provided above the drive unit.

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification is embodied in electric vehicles. In this first embodiment, the electric vehicle includes: a vehicle body; a plurality of wheels supported by the vehicle body; a drive unit having a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of wheels; and a plate-shaped reinforcing member extending above the drive unit along the width direction of the vehicle, with both ends connected to the vehicle body. The drive unit is supported by the vehicle body in a manner that supplies airflow from the front of the vehicle. At least one vent is provided in the reinforcing member at a position opposite to the portion housing the motor.

[0007] In the aforementioned electric vehicle, a plate-shaped reinforcing member is provided, extending along the width of the vehicle above the drive unit and connected to the vehicle body at both ends. At least one vent is provided in this reinforcing member opposite the portion housing the motor. With this structure, when airflow is supplied to the drive unit from the front of the vehicle, at least a portion of the airflow passes through the at least one vent in the reinforcing member. Thus, the airflow supplied to the drive unit can flow smoothly around the drive unit and toward the rear of the vehicle. In this way, by providing a vent in the reinforcing member, the flow of air supplied to the drive unit can be prevented or suppressed from being obstructed by the reinforcing member. Therefore, excessive temperature rise of the drive unit is prevented or suppressed. Furthermore, since at least one vent is provided opposite the portion housing the motor, the motor, which is a heat-generating component of the drive unit, can be effectively cooled when the airflow passes through the at least one vent. Therefore, excessive temperature rise of the drive unit is further prevented or suppressed.

[0008] In the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the drive unit may further include an electrical unit for controlling the supply of power to the motor. In this case, the electrical unit may be located at the rear of the motor in the vehicle. When the electrical unit is located at the rear of the motor in the vehicle, it becomes easier to obstruct the flow of air supplied from the front of the vehicle to the drive unit. However, according to the above structure, at least a portion of the air supplied from the front of the vehicle to the drive unit can flow smoothly to the rear of the vehicle through at least one vent provided in the reinforcing member. Therefore, even when the electrical unit is located at the rear of the motor in the vehicle, obstruction of the airflow can be avoided or suppressed.

[0009] In the third embodiment, as in the first or second embodiment, the vehicle body may comprise a single-piece die-cast material. A single-piece die-cast material refers to a component formed by integrally molding multiple parts using a relatively large clamping force. Therefore, when the vehicle body comprises a single-piece die-cast material, the gaps generated in the vehicle body are reduced compared to a structure composed of multiple parts. This makes it easier to obstruct the flow of air supplied to the drive unit. However, according to the above structure, at least a portion of the air supplied from the front of the vehicle to the drive unit can flow smoothly to the rear of the vehicle through at least one vent provided in the reinforcing member. Therefore, even when the vehicle body comprises a single-piece die-cast material, obstruction of the airflow can be avoided or suppressed.

[0010] In the fourth embodiment, in the third embodiment, the integral die-cast material may be integrally formed from a pair of side longitudinal beams extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, a crossbeam extending in the vehicle's width direction between the pair of side longitudinal beams, and a pair of mudguards extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0011] In the fifth embodiment, in any of the first to fourth embodiments, at least one vent may have a circular, elliptical, and / or polygonal shape. In this case, at least one vent may include two or more vents having the same shape, or two or more vents having different shapes. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram that schematically illustrates the structure of the electric vehicle 10 according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a diagram that roughly shows the structure of the vehicle body 12.

[0014] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view of the part equipped with the rear drive unit 30.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the vent 40 of the reinforcing member 38 and the part that houses the motor 32 of the rear drive unit 30.

[0016] Figure 5A This represents a modified example of vent 40.

[0017] Figure 5B This represents a modified example of vent 40.

[0018] Figure 5C This represents a modified example of vent 40.

[0019] Figure 5D This represents a modified example of vent 40.

[0020] Figure 5E This represents a modified example of vent 40.

[0021] Figure 5F This represents a modified example of vent 40. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Referring to the accompanying drawings, an electric vehicle 10 according to an embodiment will be described. The electric vehicle 10 is a so-called automobile, a vehicle that travels on a road. The electric vehicle 10 is not limited to a vehicle driven by a user, but may also be a vehicle remotely operated by an external device or a vehicle that travels autonomously.

[0023] In the accompanying drawings, direction FR represents the front of the electric vehicle 10 in the length direction (or front-to-back direction), and direction RR represents the rear of the electric vehicle 10 in the length direction. Furthermore, direction LH represents the left of the electric vehicle 10 in the width direction (or left-to-right direction), and direction RH represents the right of the electric vehicle 10 in the width direction. Additionally, direction UP represents the upper direction (or lower-to-upward direction) of the electric vehicle 10, and direction DW represents the lower direction (or upper-lower direction) of the electric vehicle 10.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the electric vehicle 10 includes a body 12 and a plurality of wheels 14f and 14r. The body 12 has a passenger compartment 12c, which serves as a space for passengers. The body 12 also has a floor panel 12p forming the floor of the passenger compartment 12c. The floor panel 12p is a plate-shaped component. The plurality of wheels 14f and 14r are supported by the body 12. In this embodiment, the plurality of wheels 14f and 14r are mounted in a manner that allows them to rotate relative to the body 12. The plurality of wheels 14f and 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 configured on the same axle, and the pair of rear wheels 14r are also configured on the same axle. In addition, the number of wheels 14f and 14r is not limited to four. And, although not particularly limited, the body 12 is made of a metal such as steel or aluminum alloy.

[0025] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown, the vehicle body 12 has a front integrated die-cast material 16 and a rear integrated die-cast material 18. The front integrated die-cast material 16 is located further forward than the vehicle compartment 12c. At least a portion of the rear integrated die-cast material 18 is located further rearward than the vehicle compartment 12c. The rear integrated die-cast material 18 has a pair of rear longitudinal beams 20, a rear crossbeam 22, and a pair of rear fenders 24. The pair of rear longitudinal beams 20 are disposed on both sides of the rear of the vehicle body 12 in the vehicle width direction and extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The rear crossbeam 22 extends in the vehicle width direction between the pair of rear longitudinal beams 20. The pair of rear fenders 24 are respectively disposed on the outer side of the pair of rear longitudinal beams 20 in the vehicle width direction and extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The pair of rear fenders 24 define the rear boundary (or cargo compartment) of the vehicle compartment 12c relative to the pair of rear wheels 14r. The pair of rear fenders 24 are disposed further forward than the rear crossbeam 22.

[0026] In the rear integrated die-cast material 18, a pair of rear longitudinal beams 20, a rear crossbeam 22, and a pair of rear fenders 24 are integrally formed. The rear integrated die-cast material 18 integrally molds multiple components with a relatively large clamping force. Although not shown in the figure, the front integrated die-cast material 16 is also integrally formed with a pair of front components, a front crossbeam, and a pair of front fenders, similar to the rear integrated die-cast material 18.

[0027] like Figure 1 , 3 As shown, the electric vehicle 10 also includes a battery pack 26, a front drive unit 28, and a rear drive unit 30. The battery pack 26, for example, houses multiple secondary battery cells, configured to be repeatedly charged by external power. The battery pack 26 supplies power to both the front drive unit 28 and the rear drive unit 30. The battery pack 26 is located below the vehicle compartment 12c. The front drive unit 28 and the rear drive unit 30 are supported by the vehicle body 12 in a manner that provides airflow AF from the front of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the rear drive unit 30 is located below the floor panel 12p at the rear of the vehicle body 12. Thus, when the electric vehicle 10 is in motion, airflow AF is supplied from the front of the vehicle to the rear drive unit 30 through the space between the road surface and the floor panel 12p of the vehicle body 12.

[0028] The front drive unit 28 is located at the front of the vehicle body 12 and drives a pair of front wheels 14f. The rear drive unit 30 is located at the rear of the vehicle body 12 and drives a pair of rear wheels 14r. The front drive unit 28 and the rear drive unit 30 differ in their positions relative to the vehicle body 12 and in the pairs of wheels 14f and 14r they drive, but they share a common structure. Therefore, the following description focuses on the structure related to the rear drive unit 30, omitting the description of the structure related to the front drive unit 28.

[0029] like Figure 3 , 4 As shown, the rear drive unit 30 includes a motor 32, a gear mechanism 34, and an electrical unit 36. The motor 32 is a driving motor that drives a pair of rear wheels 14r; in this embodiment, it is a motor driven by three-phase AC power. The gear mechanism 34 distributes the driving force of the motor 32 to the pair of rear wheels 14r. The motor 32 is connected to the pair of rear wheels 14r via the gear mechanism 34. Thus, the motor 32 can drive the pair of rear wheels 14r. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the motor 32 and the gear mechanism 34 are arranged on the same shaft. The electrical unit 36 ​​controls the power supply to the motor 32. In this embodiment, the electrical unit 36 ​​has a built-in inverter that controls the power transmitted between the battery pack 26 and the motor 32. The electrical unit 36 ​​is located at the rear of the vehicle where the motor 32 and the gear mechanism 34 are located. Additionally, the electrical unit 36 ​​may also include a DC-DC converter.

[0030] In addition to the motor 32, the front drive unit 28 and the rear drive unit 30 may also have other drive sources such as an engine. Furthermore, the electric vehicle 10 may also have other power sources such as a fuel cell unit or a solar panel, in addition to the battery pack 26, or in place of the battery pack 26. Thus, the electric vehicle 10 is not limited to a battery-powered electric vehicle, but may also be a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, a solar-powered vehicle, or other types of electric vehicles.

[0031] like Figure 3 , 4 As shown, the electric vehicle 10 also includes a reinforcing member 38. The reinforcing member 38 is a plate-shaped component. The reinforcing member 38 extends along the width direction of the vehicle to above the rear drive unit 30. The two ends 38a and 38b of the reinforcing member 38 are respectively connected to the body 12. Although this is an example, in this embodiment, the two ends 38a and 38b of the reinforcing member 38 are respectively connected to a pair of rear longitudinal beams 20.

[0032] In the aforementioned electric vehicle 10, the reinforcing member 38 covering the rear drive unit 30 obstructs the flow of the driving airflow AF around the rear drive unit 30, potentially causing excessive temperature rise in the rear drive unit 30. Regarding this, as... Figure 3 , 4 As shown, the reinforcing member 38 includes a vent 40. In this embodiment, the vent 40 has a quadrilateral shape. The vent 40 is positioned opposite a portion of the portion housing the motor 32. Alternatively, the vent 40 may be positioned opposite at least a portion of the portion housing the motor 32. In other embodiments, it may be positioned opposite the entire portion housing the motor 32.

[0033] According to this structure, when the driving air AF is supplied to the rear drive unit 30 from the front of the vehicle, at least a portion of the driving air AF passes through at least one vent 40 provided in the reinforcing member 38. Thus, the driving air AF supplied to the rear drive unit 30 can flow smoothly around the rear drive unit 30 and toward the rear of the vehicle. In this way, by providing the vent 40 in the reinforcing member 38, the flow of the driving air AF supplied to the rear drive unit 30 can be prevented or suppressed from being obstructed by the reinforcing member 38. Therefore, excessive temperature rise of the rear drive unit 30 is prevented or suppressed. Furthermore, since at least one vent 40 is provided opposite the portion housing the motor 32, the motor 32, which is a heat-generating component of the rear drive unit 30, can be effectively cooled when the driving air AF passes through at least one vent 40. Therefore, excessive temperature rise of the rear drive unit 30 is further prevented or suppressed.

[0034] In this embodiment, the rear drive unit 30 further includes an electrical unit 36 ​​for controlling the supply of power to the motor 32. In this case, the electrical unit 36 ​​is located at the rear of the vehicle relative to the motor 32. When the electrical unit 36 ​​is located at the rear of the vehicle relative to the motor 32, the flow of the driving air AF supplied from the front of the vehicle to the rear drive unit 30 is easily obstructed. However, according to the above structure, at least a portion of the driving air AF supplied from the front of the vehicle to the rear drive unit 30 can flow smoothly to the rear of the vehicle through at least one vent 40 provided on the reinforcing member 38. Therefore, even when the electrical unit 36 ​​is located at the rear of the motor 32, obstruction of the flow of the driving air AF can be avoided or suppressed.

[0035] In this embodiment, the vehicle body 12 includes a rear integrated die-cast material 18. As described above, the rear integrated die-cast material 18 integrally molds multiple components with a relatively large clamping force. Therefore, when the vehicle body 12 includes the rear integrated die-cast material 18, the gaps generated in the vehicle body 12 are reduced compared to the case where the corresponding structure is composed of multiple components. As a result, the flow of the driving air AF supplied to the rear drive unit 30 is easily obstructed. However, according to the above structure, at least a portion of the driving air AF supplied from the front of the vehicle to the rear drive unit 30 can flow smoothly to the rear of the vehicle through at least one vent 40 provided in the reinforcing member 38. Therefore, even when the vehicle body 12 includes the rear integrated die-cast material 18, obstruction of the flow of the driving air AF can be avoided or suppressed.

[0036] In this embodiment, the rear integrated die-cast material 18 integrally forms a pair of rear longitudinal beams 20 extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, a rear cross beam 22 extending in the vehicle's width direction between the pair of rear longitudinal beams 20, and a pair of rear fenders 24 extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. In addition to the above three components, the rear integrated die-cast material 18 may also integrally form other parts.

[0037] In this embodiment, the vent 40 of the reinforcing member 38 has a quadrilateral shape. Various shapes are possible as long as the vent 40 is positioned opposite at least a portion of the portion housing the motor 32. While this is just one example, it illustrates... Figure 5A As shown, the vent 40 can be circular in shape. (As illustrated...) Figure 5B As shown, the vent 40 can be elliptical in shape. (As illustrated...) Figure 5C As shown, the vent 40 can have a triangular shape. And, as... Figure 5D As shown, the vent 40 can have a polygonal shape, with at least one corner chamfered. Furthermore, as... Figure 5E , 5F As shown, the reinforcing component 38 can have two or more vents 40. In this case, as... Figure 5EAs shown, two or more vents 40 may include two or more vents with the same shape, such as... Figure 5F As shown, two or more vents 40 may include two or more vents with different shapes. Thus, at least one vent 40 may have a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and / or a polygonal shape.

[0038] In this embodiment, the front drive unit 28 and the rear drive unit 30 share a common structure. However, the front drive unit 28 and the rear drive unit 30 do not necessarily need to share a common structure. That is, in other embodiments, the front drive unit 28 can have a different structure from the rear drive unit 30 as long as it drives a pair of front wheels 14f.

[0039] In this embodiment, the electric vehicle 10 includes a front drive unit 28 and a rear drive unit 30. However, the electric vehicle 10 does not necessarily need to include a front drive unit 28. That is, in other embodiments, the electric vehicle 10 may only include a rear drive unit 30.

[0040] The above provides detailed descriptions of several specific examples, but these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings, individually or in combination, contribute to the technical applicability of the technology.

[0041] Symbol Explanation

[0042] 10-Electric vehicle, 12-Body, 12c-Cabby, 14f, 14r-Wheels, 16-Front integrated die-cast material, 18-Rear integrated die-cast material, 20-Rear side longitudinal beam, 22-Rear crossbeam, 24-Rear fender, 26-Battery pack, 28-Front drive unit, 30-Rear drive unit, 32-Motor, 34-Gear mechanism, 36-Electrical unit, 38-Reinforcing component, 40-Ventilation port.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, characterized in that, have: Body; Multiple wheels, which are supported by the vehicle body; A drive unit having a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of wheels; and A plate-shaped reinforcing member extends along the width of the vehicle above the drive unit, with both ends connected to the vehicle body. The drive unit is supported by the vehicle body in a manner that supplies airflow from the front of the vehicle. In the reinforcing member, at least one vent is provided at a position opposite to the part that houses the motor.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive unit also includes an electrical unit for controlling the supply of power to the motor. The electrical unit is located at the rear of the vehicle where the motor is located.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle body is made of a single piece of die-cast material.

4. The electric vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that, The integrated die-cast material is integrally formed from a pair of side longitudinal beams extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, a crossbeam extending in the width direction of the vehicle between the pair of side longitudinal beams, and a pair of mudguards extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

5. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one vent has a circular, elliptical, and / or polygonal shape.

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