Vehicle rear structure

Abstract

A vehicle rear structure includes a battery case that houses one or more battery cells inside and has an upper case and a lower case, and a connector block that is fixed to a peripheral portion of an opening portion provided at a rear end portion of the lower case, abuts against the rear end portion of the lower case on a front portion in a vehicle front-rear direction, abuts against the rear end portion of the lower case and a rear end portion of the upper case on a rear portion, and has thermal conductivity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a rear structure of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-046977 discloses a battery pack consisting of multiple battery cells with exhaust vents housed in a battery casing.

[0003] When the battery pack described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-046977 is mounted in a vehicle, various components, including heat-generating devices, need to be installed in the area behind the battery casing. There is room for improvement in heat dissipation from these devices. On the other hand, due to the heating of the battery cells, the temperature inside the battery casing may occasionally rise. There is room for improvement in heat dissipation inside the battery casing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure was made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to obtain a vehicle rear structure that can efficiently dissipate heat on the rear side of the battery housing.

[0005] The rear structure of the vehicle disclosed in the first aspect includes: a battery housing that houses one or more battery cells and has an upper housing and a lower housing; and a connector block that is fixed to the periphery of an opening provided at the rear end of the lower housing, abuts the rear end of the lower housing on its front upper surface in the vehicle longitudinal direction, overlaps and abuts the rear end of the lower housing and the rear end of the upper housing on its rear upper surface, and has thermal conductivity.

[0006] In the vehicle rear structure disclosed in the first embodiment, a thermally conductive connector block is fixed to the periphery of an opening provided at the rear end of the lower housing. The connector block abuts against the rear end of the lower housing on its front upper surface in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and overlaps with the rear end of the lower housing and the rear end of the upper housing on its rear upper surface. Therefore, at the rear end of the battery housing, heat inside the battery housing can be dissipated from the connector block via the lower housing, and heat inside the battery housing can also be dissipated from the connector block via the upper and lower housings. Furthermore, if a heat dissipation device is mounted on the upper surface of the upper housing, heat dissipated from the heat dissipation device can be dissipated from the connector block via the upper and lower housings. In this way, efficient heat dissipation is achieved at the rear end of the battery housing.

[0007] The second embodiment of the vehicle rear structure disclosed herein is configured based on the structure described in the first embodiment. The connector block has a protrusion fitted to the opening and an extension protrusion extending outward from the lower end of the protrusion in the vehicle vertical direction. The rear end of the lower housing abuts against the upper surface of the extension protrusion, and the rear end of the upper housing abuts against the upper surface of the extension protrusion via the rear end of the lower housing.

[0008] In the vehicle rear structure disclosed in the second embodiment, the connector block is configured such that a protrusion is fitted into an opening, the upper surface of the extended protrusion abuts against the rear end of the lower housing, and the rear end of the upper housing abuts against the rear end of the lower housing. Therefore, since the lower housing is not abutted against at least on the upper surface of the protrusion of the connector block, an area not abutting the lower housing can be secured within the connector block. This ensures a heat dissipation area within the connector block, thus enabling efficient heat dissipation via the connector block.

[0009] The rear structure of the vehicle disclosed in the third aspect is based on the structure described in the second aspect. The lower housing has a lower plate in the vertical direction of the vehicle and a rear plate extending upward from the rear end of the lower plate in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rear end of the lower housing is formed by extending rearward from the rear plate. The connector block has a lower extension protrusion extending downward from the front end of the extension protrusion in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rear plate of the lower housing abuts against the lower extension protrusion.

[0010] In the rear structure of the vehicle disclosed in the third embodiment, the lower housing abuts against the upper surface and lower side extension protrusion of the connector block. Therefore, compared to the case where the lower housing does not abut against the lower side extension protrusion, the contact area between the lower housing and the connector block can be increased. As a result, heat inside the battery housing can be efficiently dissipated via the connector block.

[0011] The rear structure of the vehicle disclosed herein, as described in the fourth aspect, is configured in any one of the structures described in the first to third aspects, and includes a connector whose upper surface portion is supported by the aforementioned connector block.

[0012] In the vehicle rear structure disclosed in the fourth embodiment, the upper surface of the connector is supported by the connector block, thus eliminating the need for supporting components in the vehicle's longitudinal and width directions. Therefore, at the rear of the vehicle, the increase in mounting space in both the longitudinal and width directions can be suppressed, and the connector can be supported.

[0013] The rear structure of the vehicle disclosed herein, as described in the fifth aspect, is configured such that the connector block is made of aluminum, as described in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0014] In the rear structure of the vehicle disclosed herein as described in the fifth aspect, the connector block is made of aluminum, thus enabling efficient heat dissipation from at least one of the lower housing and the upper housing via the connector block.

[0015] The rear structure of the vehicle disclosed herein has an excellent effect of efficiently dissipating heat at the rear end of the battery casing. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic top view showing the rear structure of the vehicle involved in this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a side cross-section showing an example of the rear structure of the vehicle involved in this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is an enlarged perspective view showing the main parts of the rear structure of the vehicle involved in this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 This is an enlarged sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a method for mounting a connector and connector block. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Hereinafter, a vehicle rear structure 14 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the following description will focus on the scope necessary for the technical description of the present disclosure, and parts omitted from the description are based on prior art. Identical or equivalent components in the figures will be labeled with the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated descriptions will be omitted. Also, in cases where multiple identical or equivalent components are included in the figures, only a few may be labeled with reference numerals to facilitate observation. Arrows FR, UP, and LH in the figures represent the forward direction, upward direction, and left direction of the vehicle 10, respectively. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the directions front-back, up-down, and left-right will be used to represent front-back in the front-back direction, up-down in the up-down direction, and left-right in the width direction (left-right direction), respectively.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic top view partially showing an example of a vehicle 10 equipped with the rear structure 14 of this embodiment. Furthermore, in Figure 1 The upper housing 26, which will be described later, is omitted from the illustration.

[0022] like Figure 1As shown, a battery pack 18 is mounted on the vehicle 10. The battery pack 18 has a plurality of battery modules 20 (four in this embodiment). The plurality of battery modules 20 are arranged along the width direction of the vehicle. Each of the battery modules 20 has a plurality of battery cells 22 as battery cells. The plurality of battery cells 22 are arranged in the battery module 20 along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. That is, the battery pack 18 is configured such that the plurality of battery modules 20 having a plurality of battery cells 22 arranged along the front-rear direction of the vehicle are arranged along the width direction of the vehicle.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a side cross-section showing an example of the rear structure of the vehicle according to this embodiment. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the battery pack 18 has a lower housing 24 and an upper housing 26. The lower housing 24 is a box-shaped component that can accommodate the battery module 20, and is configured to include a lower plate 24L and a front plate 24F (see reference). Figure 1 The lower housing 24 consists of a rear panel 24R and a pair of left and right side panels (not shown). The lower panel 24L is a plate-shaped portion that supports the battery module 20 from below. The front panel 24F and the rear panel 24R are plate-shaped portions erected from the front and rear sides of the lower panel 24L, respectively. The side panels are plate-shaped portions erected from both sides of the lower panel 24L in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the upper surface of the lower housing 24 is open, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the lower housing 24 has a flange portion 25 that protrudes from the periphery toward the outside as a rear end portion (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0024] The upper housing 26 is a cover-like component that seals the upper surface of the lower housing 24. For example... Figure 2 As shown, an opening 27 is formed at the rear end of the upper housing 26. Through this opening 27, the device configuration space 32 of the device housing 40 (described later) communicates with the battery pack 18.

[0025] The lower housing 24 and the upper housing 26 are joined together, forming a battery housing 28 that serves as the battery housing. Multiple battery modules 20, each composed of multiple battery cells 22, are arranged and housed within the internal space of the battery housing 28 along the vehicle width direction.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, an equipment housing 40 for accommodating various devices is disposed on the vehicle compartment R side above the battery housing 28. The equipment housing 40 has an equipment base 42 and a cover 44. The equipment base 42 is a box-shaped housing formed on the upper side of the vehicle, i.e., open at the top.

[0027] The device base 42 is disposed on the upper surface of the upper housing 26 of the battery housing 28, and includes a lower wall portion 42A extending along the upper housing 26, a rear wall portion 42B extending upward from the rear end of the lower wall portion 42A, and a front wall portion 42C extending upward from the front end of the lower wall portion 42A. An opening 42D is formed at the rear side of the lower wall portion 42A for wire harnesses or the like (not shown) to pass through. In addition, the device base 42 includes a front flange portion 42E extending forward from the upper end of the front wall portion 42C, and a protrusion 42F protruding downward from the front side of the front flange portion 42E.

[0028] Furthermore, the front end of the equipment base 42 is fixed to the crossbeam 12 by threading an unshown bolt inserted from the upper side into the front flange 42E and protrusion 42F of the equipment base 42 into an unshown nut provided on the crossbeam 12. In addition, the crossbeam is part of the vehicle frame and extends along the vehicle width direction in a manner that connects a pair of side beams (not shown).

[0029] In this embodiment, as an example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the equipment base 42 is formed such that the upper end of the rear wall portion 42B is located on the lower side compared to the front wall portion 42C.

[0030] The material of the device base 42 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of improving the heat dissipation performance of heat-generating devices such as the relay and junction box 34 described later, aluminum is preferred. That is, the material of the device base 42 is preferably a material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. In addition, the device base 42 is further preferably a die-cast part (casting) formed by casting aluminum or the like. Furthermore, the device base 42 does not necessarily have to be a casting; it can also be formed from sheet metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel), resin, etc. Even if the device base 42 is formed from sheet metal, resin, etc., heat dissipation is still achieved from heat-generating devices such as the relay and junction box 34 to the device base 42.

[0031] The cover 44, in a top-down view, overlaps with the seat cushion 100 (described later) at the lower side of the seat cushion 100 in the vehicle vertical direction and the upper side of the battery casing 28 in the vehicle vertical direction. Specifically, the cover 44 is a sealing member that seals the opening (open portion) at the upper end of the device base 42, and is fixed to the device base 42 using fastening members (not shown). The cover 44 has an upper wall portion 44A extending in the front-rear and left-right directions, a rear wall portion 44B extending downward from the rear end of the upper wall portion 44A, and a rear flange portion 44C extending rearward from the lower end of the rear wall portion 44B. In addition, the cover 44 has an upper protrusion 44D protruding upward from the middle portion of the upper wall portion 44A in the front-rear direction.

[0032] The cover 44 is thermally conductive, and is preferably made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum. That is, the cover 44 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the cover 44 can also be formed from a sheet of metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel) or a resin with the same rigidity as a metal. Even if the device base 42 is formed from a sheet of metal or resin, heat is dissipated from the heat-generating device, such as a relay, to the device base 42. Furthermore, the cover 44 can also be formed from a die-cast part (casting) formed by casting aluminum or the like.

[0033] The cover 44 is mounted to the device base 42 from the top, thereby forming a device configuration space 32 between the cover 44 and the device base 42. A junction box 34 (control device), an ECU (control device) 35, etc., are disposed in this device configuration space 32. That is, the cover 44 is joined to the device base 42 at its lower end, forming a device housing 40 that internally houses the junction box 34, etc. Furthermore, the junction box 34 is supported on the upper surface of the lower wall portion 42A of the device base 42 and is fixed to the lower wall portion 42A of the device base 42 via a fixing member (not shown).

[0034] Although the diagram is omitted, relays and auxiliary equipment are housed inside junction box 34. Auxiliary equipment includes, for example, a PDU (Power Distribution Unit) and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The relays and auxiliary equipment are connected via wiring harnesses and conduits 88 (see below). Figure 3 It is connected to the battery pack 18 and is electrically connected to the battery pack 18. Heat-generating devices such as relays are driven by the power supplied from the battery pack 18, and thus generate heat during operation.

[0035] The equipment housing 40, which houses the junction box 34, is partially disposed above the upper housing 26 of the battery housing 28. As an example, "partially disposed" means that in the battery housing 28, which extends in the vehicle's longitudinal and width directions, it is disposed in a portion (e.g., the rear side) in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0036] The auxiliary cover 90 is formed by stamping or other processes on steel plate material, resulting in a thickness thinner than the aforementioned equipment base 42 and cover 44. The auxiliary cover 90 includes an upper wall portion 90A disposed opposite to the upper wall portion 44A of the cover 44 in the vertical direction, and a front wall portion 90B extending downward from the front end of the upper wall portion 90A.

[0037] Furthermore, the auxiliary cover 90 is mounted to the cover 44 from the top, thereby forming an equipment configuration space 36 between the auxiliary cover 90 and the cover 44. A charging device 38, such as a 2-in-1 charger, is disposed, for example, in front of the upper protrusion 44D in this equipment configuration space 36. In this embodiment, the charging device 38 is supported by the upper surface of the upper wall portion 44A of the cover 44 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, specifically the upper surface of the upper wall portion 44A that is forward of the upper protrusion 44D, and is fixed to the upper surface of the upper wall portion 44A of the cover 44 via a fixing member (not shown in the figure). Additionally, as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the cover 44 is disposed between the junction box 34 and the charging device 38.

[0038] A seat cushion 100, which forms part of the rear seat of the vehicle, is provided on the upper side of the auxiliary hood 90. The seat cushion 100 is located on the upper side of the vehicle's vertical direction at the rear of the vehicle, above the battery housing 28. In addition, a carpet 110 is provided on the lower side of the seat cushion 100, which covers the equipment housing 40 and the crossbeam 12 from the front side.

[0039] On the other hand, such as Figure 2 As shown, a connector block 50 is connected to the flange portion 25 of the lower housing 24. In other words, as... Figure 1 As shown, the connector block 50 is disposed on the rear side of the lower housing 24. The front edge (the edge on the front side of the vehicle) of the connector block 50 is straight in the vehicle width direction. In contrast, the rear edge (the edge on the rear side of the vehicle) of the connector block 50 is curved in a manner that convexes towards the rear of the vehicle from the center in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the central portion 50C of the connector block 50 in the vehicle width direction is longer than the two ends 50E in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, the connector block 50, when viewed from the vehicle width direction, has a recess 51 that is open at the lower side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and a protrusion 52 that forms the recess 51. In addition, the connector block 50 has an extension protrusion 53 that extends outward from the lower end of the protrusion 52, and a lower extension protrusion 54 that extends downward from the front end of the extension protrusion 53.

[0041] Furthermore, the flange portion 25 of the lower housing 24 is provided with an opening 25A that extends through the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the protrusion 52 of the connector block 50 is fitted into this opening 25A. In other words, the connector block 50 is fixed to the periphery of the opening 25A.

[0042] The lower surface of the flange portion 25 of the lower housing 24 abuts against the upper surface of the extended protrusion 53 of the connector block 50. In other words, the upper surface of the extended protrusion 53 of the connector block 50 abuts against the lower surface of the peripheral portion of the opening 25A. Specifically, the lower surface of the flange portion 25 of the lower housing 24 abuts against the front upper surface of the extended protrusion 53 of the connector block 50. The flange portion 25 of the lower housing 24 and the rear end portion 26A of the upper housing 26 overlap and abut against the rear upper surface of the extended protrusion 53 of the connector block 50.

[0043] That is, the lower surface of the flange portion 25 of the lower housing 24, which engages with the rear end portion 26A of the upper housing 26, abuts against the rear upper surface of the extension protrusion 53 of the connector block 50. In other words, the rear end portion 26A of the upper housing 26 abuts against the upper surface of the extension protrusion 53 via the flange portion 25 of the lower housing 24.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear end face of the rear plate 24R of the lower housing 24 abuts against the front end face of the lower extension protrusion 54 of the connector block 50. Additionally, in Figure 2 In the middle, gaps are formed between the rear end face of the rear plate 24R of the lower housing 24 and the front end face of the lower extension protrusion 54 of the connector block 50, and between the lower surface of the flange 25 of the lower housing 24 and the upper surface of the extension protrusion 53 of the connector block 50, but they actually abut against each other.

[0045] In this embodiment, the connector block 50 is formed of a thermally conductive component, specifically, for example, aluminum. The material of the connector block 50 is preferably a material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Furthermore, the connector block 50 is more preferably a die-cast component (casting) formed by casting aluminum or the like. However, the connector block 50 does not necessarily have to be a casting; it can also be formed from a sheet of metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel), resin, or the like.

[0046] Figure 3 This is an enlarged perspective view of the main parts of the vehicle rear structure 14 according to this embodiment, showing a perspective view of the rear plate 24R side of the lower housing 24.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, a smoke exhaust valve 82 is installed on connector block 50. Figure 3 As shown, a cover plate 84 is installed between the connector block 50 and the battery pack 18, and the exhaust valve 82. The cover plate 84 has a window 84A on its side surface on the battery cell 22 side for allowing exhaust gas from inside the battery cell 22 to flow in. Furthermore, if the exhaust gas flows into the exhaust path (not shown) of the battery pack 18 and the internal pressure exceeds a specified value, the exhaust valve 82 opens, discharging the gas inside the exhaust path to the outside.

[0048] Furthermore, a breather membrane 85 is installed on the connector block 50. The breather membrane 85 allows gas to pass through but prevents the passage of liquids (including vapors). For example, Gore-Tex (registered trademark) is used as a material. Additionally, even when gas is allowed to pass through, the breather membrane 85 resists gas movement, thus preventing gas from moving at once within a short period. In this embodiment, the breather membrane 85 is positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, beyond the exhaust valve 82.

[0049] In addition, such as Figures 1-3 As shown, a plurality of connectors 60 are disposed on the lower surface side of the connector block 50, which are connected to the battery pack 18 and used to supply power to various parts of the vehicle. In this embodiment, as an example, the plurality of connectors 60 include a first connector 60A, a second connector 60B, a third connector 60C, and a fourth connector 60D. Furthermore, in the following description, unless common features are specifically described, the first connector 60A, the second connector 60B, the third connector 60C, and the fourth connector 60D will be simply referred to as connectors 60.

[0050] Connector 60 is mounted on the end of a cable (not shown). For example... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, multiple connectors 60 are arranged along the width of the vehicle. All connectors 60 are configured such that, in a downward view, their entirety overlaps with a portion of the battery housing 28. Figure 2 As shown, connector 60 is configured not to protrude below the lower surface of the lower plate 24L of battery housing 28. Furthermore, for multiple connectors 60, as... Figure 1 As shown, the first connector 60A is disposed on the side of the smoke exhaust valve 82, and the second connector 60B, the third connector 60C, and the fourth connector 60D are respectively disposed on the opposite side of the smoke exhaust valve 82 with the first connector 60A placed between them.

[0051] The first connector 60A is connected to a device located at the front of the vehicle via a cable or the like. This device is, for example, a vehicle drive motor mounted at the front of the vehicle 10.

[0052] The fourth connector 60D is connected to a device located at the rear of the vehicle via a cable or the like. This device is, for example, a vehicle drive motor mounted at the rear of the vehicle. This device is, for example, located rearward of the rear end of the battery pack 18 and at the center of the vehicle's width. In this embodiment, as... Figure 2 As shown, the device includes a junction box 34 (control device), an ECU (control device) 35, etc., which are installed in the device configuration space 32.

[0053] As an example, such as Figure 2As shown, the fourth connector 60D is mounted on the underside of the flange 25 of the lower housing 24. Specifically, the fourth connector 60D is mounted from the bottom in the lower housing 24 in a portion rearward of the battery cell 22. More specifically, the fourth connector 60D is mounted from the bottom to the connector block 50. In other words, at least the upper portion of the fourth connector 60D is received in the recess 51 of the connector block 50, and the upper surface portion 61 is supported by the connector block 50.

[0054] Figure 4 This is an enlarged sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the mounting method of the fourth connector 60D and connector block 50. Furthermore, in Figure 4 In this example, the fourth connector, 60D, is a PIN connector. Figure 4 As shown, the flange portion 25 of the lower housing 24 is fixed to the upper surface of the extended protrusion 53 by fastening components 55 such as bolts.

[0055] Furthermore, the upper surface 61 of the fourth connector 60D is supported on the lower surface of the protrusion 52 of the connector block 50 via the connector terminal block 62. Specifically, the connector terminal block 62 on which the fourth connector 60D is mounted is fixed to the connector block 50 from below by fastening components 63 such as bolts. In addition, the connector terminal block 62 is electrically connected to the junction box 34 disposed in the equipment configuration space 32 via a busbar (not shown) and a power distribution unit 39 (described later).

[0056] In this embodiment, as an example, the rear end portion 53A of the extension protrusion 53 of the connector block 50 is slightly higher than the extension protrusion 53 on the convex portion 52 side. That is, the extension protrusion 53 has a step. Similarly, in the lower housing 24, the rear end portion of the flange 25 is slightly higher than the flange 25 on the convex portion 52 side, i.e., the opening 25A. That is, the flange 25 has a step. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown, the upper housing 26 includes an area that overlaps with the rear end 53A of the extended protrusion 53 in a top view and engages with the lower housing 24. In other words, the battery housing 28 overlaps and abuts against the connector block 50, the lower housing 24, and the upper housing 26 at its rear end.

[0057] Furthermore, the first connector 60A, the second connector 60B, and the third connector 60C can also be installed on the connector block 50 in the same way as the fourth connector 60D.

[0058] Additionally, the battery pack 18 includes a power distribution unit 39 housed within the battery casing 28. The power distribution unit 39 is connected via a busbar (not shown) to a junction box 34 disposed in the equipment configuration space 32, and also via a busbar (not shown) to multiple connector terminal blocks 62. Thus, the power distribution unit 39 functions to distribute power to multiple connectors 60.

[0059] The power distribution unit 39 is positioned behind the battery cell 22 and junction box 34 so as not to overlap with the battery cell 22 and junction box 34 in a top view.

[0060] On the other hand, a smoke exhaust valve 82 and a breather membrane 85 are provided on the outer side of the connector block 50 in the vehicle width direction, but if Figure 3 As shown, a wiring module 80 is formed at a position on the rear side of the vehicle, relative to the exhaust valve 82 and the breather membrane 85. This wiring module 80 is erected from the upper surface 50A of the connector block 50 and is a flat cylindrical shape in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0061] Specifically, when viewed from above the vehicle, the wiring module 80 is longer in the width direction of the vehicle than in the front-rear direction, and is located on the outer edge of the connector block 50. Furthermore, when viewed from the outside of the vehicle, the wiring module is approximately truncated cone-shaped, and its cross-sectional shape increases when cut horizontally towards the lower side of the vehicle.

[0062] Furthermore, a circular first insertion hole 80A and a second insertion hole 80B, extending vertically through the connector block 50, are formed on the inner side of the wiring module 80. In this embodiment, there are two first insertion holes 80A, and one second insertion hole 80B, which is larger in diameter than the first insertion holes 80A. Additionally, the second insertion hole 80B is located on the outer side of the first insertion hole 80A in the vehicle width direction. The two first insertion holes 80A are separated in the vehicle width direction, and the second insertion hole 80B is also separated from the first insertion holes 80A in the vehicle width direction.

[0063] For example, a circulation pipe 86 that circulates cooling water to the vehicle's mounting equipment is inserted into the first through-hole 80A. Additionally, a wiring pipe 88 that houses multiple wires transmitting electrical signals to the mounting equipment is inserted into the second through-hole 80B. The circulation pipe 86 and the wiring pipe 88 are examples of wiring components disposed in a vehicle. That is, in this embodiment, multiple wiring components separated from each other in the vehicle width direction are inserted into the wiring module 80 in a vertical direction.

[0064] (Functions and Effects)

[0065] Next, the effects of this implementation method will be explained.

[0066] In the vehicle rear structure 14 according to this embodiment, a thermally conductive connector block 50 is fixed to the periphery of the opening 25A provided in the flange portion 25 of the lower housing 24. The flange portion 25 of the lower housing 24 abuts against the front upper surface of the connector block 50 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the flange portion 25 of the lower housing 24 and the rear end portion 26A of the upper housing 26 overlap and abut against the rear upper surface of the connector block 50. Therefore, at the rear end portion of the battery housing 28, heat inside the battery housing 28 can be dissipated from the connector block 50 via the lower housing 24, and heat inside the battery housing 28 can also be dissipated from the connector block 50 via the upper housing 26 and the lower housing 24.

[0067] Furthermore, since the device housing 40 is mounted on the upper surface of the upper housing 26, heat dissipated from the heat dissipation device disposed inside the device housing 40 can be dissipated from the connector block 50 via the rear end 26A of the upper housing 26 and the lower housing 24. Thus, in the vehicle rear structure 14 according to this embodiment, heat dissipation can be efficiently achieved at the rear end of the battery housing 28.

[0068] Furthermore, in the vehicle rear structure 14 according to this embodiment, for the connector block 50, the protrusion 52 is fitted to the opening 25A provided in the flange 25 of the lower housing 24. The flange 25 of the lower housing 24 abuts against the upper surface of the extended protrusion 53, and the rear end portion 26A of the upper housing 26 indirectly abuts against the upper surface of the extended protrusion 53 via the flange 25 of the lower housing 24. Therefore, at least the upper surface of the protrusion 52 of the connector block 50 does not abut against the lower housing 24, thus ensuring an area in the connector block 50 that does not abut against the lower housing 24. As a result, a heat dissipation area in the connector block 50 can be ensured, thus enabling efficient heat dissipation via the connector block 50.

[0069] Furthermore, in the vehicle rear structure 14 according to this embodiment, the lower surface of the flange 25 of the lower housing 24 abuts against the upper surface of the extended protrusion 53 of the connector block 50, and the rear surface of the rear plate 24R of the lower housing 24 abuts against the front surface of the lower extended protrusion 54. Therefore, compared with the case where the lower housing 24 does not abut against the lower extended protrusion 54, the contact area between the lower housing 24 and the connector block 50 can be increased. As a result, heat in the battery housing 28 can be efficiently dissipated via the connector block 50.

[0070] Furthermore, in the vehicle rear structure 14 according to this embodiment, the upper surface portion 61 of the connector 60 is supported on the connector block 50, so no supporting components are needed in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the recess 51 of the connector block 50 can suppress the increase of mounting space in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction and support the connector 60.

[0071] In addition, in the vehicle rear structure 14 of this embodiment, the connector block 50 is made of aluminum, so heat can be efficiently dissipated from at least one of the lower housing 24 and the upper housing 26 via the connector block 50.

[0072] Furthermore, it is also possible to omit or modify some of the structures of this embodiment described above.

[0073] The above describes one embodiment of the present disclosure. Of course, the present disclosure is not limited to the above situation, and various modifications can be made beyond the above without departing from its spirit.

Claims

1. A rear structure of a vehicle, wherein, have: A battery casing that houses one or more battery cells and has an upper casing and a lower casing; and The connector block is fixed to the periphery of the opening provided at the rear end of the lower housing. Its front upper surface abuts against the rear end of the lower housing in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and its rear upper surface overlaps and abuts against the rear end of the lower housing and the rear end of the upper housing, and it has thermal conductivity.

2. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 1, wherein, The connector block has a protrusion fitted into the opening and an extension protrusion extending outward from the lower end of the protrusion in the vehicle vertical direction. The rear end of the lower housing abuts against the upper surface of the extended protrusion, and the rear end of the upper housing abuts against the upper surface of the extended protrusion via the rear end of the lower housing.

3. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 2, wherein, The lower housing has a lower plate in the vertical direction of the vehicle and a rear plate extending upward from the rear end of the lower plate in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rear end of the lower housing is formed by extending rearward from the rear plate. The connector block has a downwardly extending protrusion that extends from the front end of the extended protrusion in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The rear plate of the lower housing abuts against the lower side extension protrusion.

4. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 1, wherein, A connector having an upper surface portion supported by the connector block.

5. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 1, wherein, The connector block is made of aluminum.

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