Guide structure of a high-voltage cable in a motor vehicle

Abstract

Guide structure of a high-voltage cable (18) of a motor vehicle, wherein the guide structure comprises: a power unit (9) having a motor (10) and a transmission (11) which are operationally connected to each other; a high-voltage device (17) capable of receiving and outputting high-voltage power; the high-voltage cable (18) for supplying the high-voltage power to the motor (10); a low-voltage device (19) capable of receiving and outputting low-voltage power; and a low-voltage cable harness (20) for supplying the low-voltage power, wherein the power unit (9) is supported by a mounting mechanism (23) through a subframe (25), the subframe (25) being in a ring shape, having a transverse frame section (29) extending along the power unit (9), and being mounted on a motor vehicle body (2).wherein the high-voltage cable (18) is connected to a connection area (22) on an end surface of the motor (10) and extends from the connection area (22) in one direction and is then curved in the opposite direction and is then guided along a housing (13) of the motor (10), and wherein the high-voltage cable (18) is supported by a first protective device (41) extending along the motor housing (13) and supported on the motor housing (13), and further supported by a second protective device (42) supported on a side of the subframe (25) opposite the connection area (22), such that the high-voltage cable (18) extends along the transverse frame area (29) between the first protective device (41) and the second protective device (42).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a guide structure of a high-voltage cable in a motor vehicle and, in particular, to a guide structure of a high-voltage cable, the guide structure having a spatial arrangement of a high-voltage cable in an electric vehicle such as an electric car and a hybrid vehicle. Background of the invention

[0002] In an electric vehicle, such as an electric car or a hybrid vehicle, a control device and various auxiliary devices such as lamps and an air conditioner are configured as a low-voltage system (12V system), and it is necessary to route a low-voltage wiring harness of the low-voltage system that connects these devices. Furthermore, high-voltage devices such as a high-voltage battery for driving the vehicle, a motor (dynamotor) for driving the vehicle, an inverter, and a converter are mounted in the vehicle, and it is necessary to route a high-voltage cable of the high-voltage system that connects these devices. Among the devices in the high-voltage system, the size of each of the devices is large, and therefore, many limitations exist even if these devices are distributed.

[0003] JP2005-262894A relates to a motor vehicle in which a high-voltage unit is fixed to a frame member of the motor vehicle by means of a fixing element, and in which a high-voltage line is fixed to the fixing element. JP2007-14090A relates to a routing structure of a power line harness of an electric vehicle. In this structure, both end portions of the power line harness are each configured to extend on first and second virtual routing planes for connection to connectors, and in this structure, an intermediate portion of the power line harness is routed on a third virtual routing plane.

[0004] Document DE 10 2007 044 411 A1 relates to a structure for supporting an electric motor in vehicles, such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.

[0005] Document US 2009 / 0 251 018 A1 relates to a drive device containing a rotating electrical machine, such as a motor or a generator, for use in various vehicles, such as a hybrid or electric vehicle.

[0006] Document DE 10 2005 003 654 A1 relates to a power cable holding structure for a vehicle for holding power cables in a vehicle which can be powered by electric current.

[0007] Document DE 600 09 800 T2 relates to an air intake and exhaust device for a power unit and a down converter and, in particular, to an air intake and exhaust device in an air cooling system for a power unit and a down converter for use in a hybrid vehicle.

[0008] Document WO 2010 / 070 834 A1 relates to a wiring structure of a vehicle that connects the power supply mounted in the vehicle to an electrical load with a power cable.

[0009] However, conventionally in a motor vehicle 101, as in Fig. 5, a low-voltage wiring harness 102 of a low-voltage system (12V system) is routed near the center of the vehicle, while a motor 103 configuring a power unit and an inverter 104, which is a high-voltage device for supplying high-voltage power to the motor 103, as devices of a high-voltage system, are dispersedly arranged at positions separated from each other on the vehicle 101. Moreover, in the vehicle 101, there is a case where the connection positions of the high-voltage devices of the high-voltage system with a high-voltage cable 105 are arranged at positions that are, for example, diagonal positions between which the routing portion of the low-voltage wiring harness 102 is arranged.Such an arrangement may be provided in particular when a device provided in the low-voltage system or the high-voltage system is used jointly for both the low-voltage and the high-voltage system.

[0010] For this reason, when the connection positions of the high-voltage cable 105 are located at diagonal positions between which the low-voltage wiring harness 102 is arranged, and when the cable length is reduced, the high-voltage cable 105 connected between the inverter 104 and the motor 103 is arranged to cross the low-voltage wiring harness 102 and run parallel to the low-voltage wiring harness 102.

[0011] When the high-voltage cable 105 is arranged to traverse the center of the vehicle body in the left and right directions, the high-voltage cable 105 is inevitably located near the low-voltage wiring harness 102 passing through the floor of the vehicle body, causing noise. Furthermore, since the electric power supplied by the high-voltage cable 105 is generally very high, a local increase in the internal resistance of the high-voltage cable 105 leads to excessive heating and increasing power loss. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure a curvature radius of the high-voltage cable 105 that is not less than a fixed value.

[0012] Furthermore, when the high-voltage cable 105 is mounted in the motor vehicle 101, it is necessary to provide a structure in which the high-voltage cable 105 is compactly routed in the state where such a curvature radius is ensured. Furthermore, in the connection structure between the high-voltage cable 105 and the motor 103, the high-voltage cable 105 must be routed and supported taking into account the power unit, which moves and vibrates with respect to the motor body. Brief summary of the invention

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a guide structure of a high-voltage cable, wherein the high-voltage cable is compactly guided in this structure while ensuring the radius of curvature required for the spatial arrangement of the high-voltage cable, wherein the high-voltage cable is held in this structure so that it can withstand vibration, and wherein the high-voltage cable is spatially arranged in this structure so that it provides a measure against electromagnetic noise caused by the high-voltage cable.

[0014] The present invention is defined in independent claim 1. The dependent claims define embodiments of the invention. Disclosed is a high-voltage cable routing structure of a motor vehicle, configured to include: a power unit having a motor and a transmission operatively connected to each other; a high-voltage device capable of inputting and outputting high-voltage power; a high-voltage cable for supplying high-voltage power to the motor; a low-voltage device capable of inputting and outputting low-voltage power;and a low-voltage wiring harness for supplying the low-voltage power, characterized in that the high-voltage cable is connected to an end surface of the motor and is guided along the motor housing of the motor by extending from the connection portion in one direction and then extending in the direction opposite to this one direction, and in that a first protector configured to hold the high-voltage cable and extending along the motor housing is carried on the motor housing.;

[0015] In the routing structure of a high-voltage cable of a motor vehicle, the high-voltage cable according to the present invention can be compactly routed in the state where the curvature radius required for the spatial arrangement of the high-voltage cable is ensured. Furthermore, the high-voltage cable can be supported to resist vibration and can be spatially arranged to provide a measure against electromagnetic noise caused by the high-voltage cable. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic bottom view of a guide structure of a high-voltage cable of an automotive vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom view showing a spatial arrangement of the high-voltage cable and a low-voltage wire harness according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is an enlarged bottom view showing the spatial arrangement of the first protective device and the second protective device in Fig. 2 shows; Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the spatial arrangement of each of the Fig. 3 shows the protective devices; and Fig. 5 is a schematic bottom view of a conventional guide structure of a high-voltage cable of an automobile. Detailed description of the invention

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a guide structure of a high-voltage cable of a motor vehicle, in which structure a high-voltage cable is compactly guided while ensuring a radius of curvature required for the spatial arrangement of the high-voltage cable, in which structure the high-voltage cable is held so as to be able to withstand vibration, and in which structure the high-voltage cable is spatially arranged so as to provide a measure against the electromagnetic noise caused by the high-voltage cable.This object is achieved in that the high-voltage cable is connected to an end surface of a motor and is guided along the motor housing of the motor by extending from the connection area in one direction and then extending in the direction opposite to this one direction, and in that a first protective device configured to hold the high-voltage cable and extending along the motor housing is carried on the motor housing.

[0017] The Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 show an embodiment according to the present invention.

[0018] In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a motor vehicle, such as a hybrid vehicle, and reference numeral 2 denotes a motor vehicle body. Furthermore, reference numerals 3L and 3R denote a left side member and a right side member, respectively, which configure the motor vehicle body 2, and reference numerals 4L and 4R denote a front left wheel and a front right wheel, respectively. Reference numerals 5L and 5R denote a rear left wheel and a rear right wheel, respectively, and reference numerals 6L and 6R denote a left headlight and a right headlight, respectively.

[0019] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the left side member 3L and the right side member 3R are arranged to extend linearly along the front-rear direction X of the motor vehicle. In a rear portion of the motor vehicle, each of the left side member 3L and the right side member 3R is constituted by a front portion provided at the front in the front-rear direction X of the motor vehicle and extending substantially in the horizontal direction, a rising portion rising from the rear end of the front portion toward the rear upper side, and a rear portion extending from the rear end of the rising portion toward the rear side substantially in the horizontal direction.

[0020] Furthermore, the connecting portion between the front portion and the rising portion of the left side member 3L is connected to the connecting portion between the front portion and the rising portion of the right side member 3R by means of a front cross member 7 extending in the direction Y of the width of the motor vehicle (see Fig. 3). The front side portion of the rear portion of the left side member 3L is connected to the front side portion of the rear portion of the right side member 3R by means of a rear cross member 8 extending in the direction Y of the width of the motor vehicle (see Fig. 3). The intermediate portion of the rear portion of the left side member 3L is connected to the intermediate portion of the rear portion of the right side member 3R by means of a suspension cross member extending in the Y direction of the vehicle width. Furthermore, the rear end of the rear portion of the left side member 3L is connected to the rear end of the rear portion of the right side member 3R by means of a rear panel extending in the Y direction of the vehicle width. A front floor (front side floor of the rear floor of the vehicle) is provided at the upper portion of the left and right front portions. A vertical wall portion connected to the front floor is provided at the upper portion of the left and right rising portions.At the upper part of the left and right rear sections, a rear floor (rear side floor of the rear floor of the vehicle) is provided, which is connected to the vertical wall section. The rear floor is thus connected to the front floor via the vertical wall section.

[0021] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, a power unit 9 is mounted in the motor vehicle 1. The power unit 9 includes an engine 10 and a transmission 11 that are operatively connected to each other. The engine 10 includes a rotating shaft 12 and a motor housing 13, and the axial center 12C of the rotating shaft 12 is directed in the Y direction of the width of the motor vehicle.

[0022] The transmission 11, which is mainly a speed reduction mechanism, includes a gear mechanism 14 connected to the engine 10, and a differential mechanism 15 provided at the rear of the transmission mechanism 14 and connected to the left side of the engine 10 in the Y direction of the vehicle width. The differential mechanism 15 has a main shaft 16 (right and left axles) and is arranged at the rear of the transmission mechanism 14 and under the rear cross member 8 provided along the lower surface side of the rear floor. The rear left wheel 5L and the rear right wheel 5R are respectively fixed to the outer ends of the main shaft 16.

[0023] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, an inverter 17, a high-voltage device capable of inputting and outputting high-voltage power, and a high-voltage cable 18 for supplying high-voltage power to the motor 10 are mounted in the motor vehicle 1. Furthermore, a low-voltage device (12V system) 19, capable of inputting and outputting low-voltage power, and a low-voltage cable harness 20 for supplying low voltage are mounted in the motor vehicle 1. The motor 10 is arranged at the rear of the motor vehicle 1. The inverter 17 is arranged at the front of the motor vehicle 1.

[0024] The motor 10 and the inverter 17 are each mounted at separate positions on the motor vehicle 1 and are connected to each other by means of the high-voltage cable 18.

[0025] The high-voltage cable 18 extends from the inverter-side connection portion 21 of the inverter 17 mounted on the front of the motor vehicle 1. Furthermore, the high-voltage cable 18 is spatially arranged and fixed to the ground surface so as to extend horizontally along the left side member 3L as one of the side members, as well as along the ground surface at an inner position of the left side member 3L, and is connected to an engine-side connection portion 22 provided on the right end surface of the engine 10.

[0026] As in Fig. 2, the high-voltage cable 18 is routed as a whole in a substantially J-shape when viewed from below. The curved portion of the route of the high-voltage cable 18, which is routed in a substantially J-shape, is formed on the periphery of the power unit 9 provided at the rear of the vehicle so as to extend along the J-shape serving as a reference path. Furthermore, the high-voltage cable 18 is connected to the engine-side connecting portion 22 provided on the right end surface of the engine 10 and is routed along the engine housing 13 by extending from the connecting portion in one direction and then extending in the direction opposite to this one direction.

[0027] The low-voltage device 19, arranged on the periphery of the power unit 8, is located substantially at the center and front of the engine 9 in the vehicle width direction Y and is connected to the low-voltage wiring harness 20. The low-voltage wiring harness 20 is connected to each of the devices, for example, the left headlight 6L and the right headlight 6R.

[0028] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, a rear mounting mechanism 24, which is a part of a power unit mounting structure 23 configured to support the bracket of the power unit 9 to control the rolling motion of the power unit 9, is arranged at the rear portion of the transmission 11 of the power unit 9. The rear mounting mechanism 24 is connected to the vehicle body 2.

[0029] A subframe 25 is mounted on the motor vehicle 1 so as to be located under the front floor and the rear floor, and is connected to the front floor via the vertical wall portion. The subframe 25, to which the power unit 9 is mounted, is formed in a ring shape by connecting both its left and right side portions to its front and rear side portions, and is mounted near a stepped rising portion (rear half portion) of the rear floor by utilizing the height difference of the rising portion.

[0030] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the subframe 25 is configured by a pair of left and right side cross frame portions 26 and 27 extending in the front-rear direction X of the motor vehicle, and a pair of front and rear cross frame portions 28 and 29 extending horizontally in the width direction Y of the motor vehicle between the pair of left and right side cross frames 26 and 27, and formed by a pipe material in a ring shape.

[0031] Each of the left and right side cross frame portions 26 and 27 extends in the front-rear direction X of the vehicle and is bent into a C-shape so that its rear end is positioned at the top. Therefore, the annular subframe 25 forms a three-dimensional annular shape.

[0032] Each of the front and rear cross-frame sections 28 and 29 is arranged along the power unit 9 so as to extend in the Y direction of the width of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the high-voltage cable 18 extends along the rear cross-frame section 29.

[0033] A front left mounting bracket 30 and a front right mounting bracket 31 are provided on the front cross frame portion 28 of the sub frame 25 in the vehicle width direction Y on the transmission 11 side and the engine 10 side, respectively.

[0034] The front left mounting bracket 30 and the front right mounting bracket 31 are each provided with a front left fixing bolt 32 and a front right fixing bolt 33 and are connected to the front cross member 7 provided on the front floor and the connecting portion of the vertical wall portion.

[0035] In addition, a rear left mounting bracket 34 and a rear right mounting bracket 35 are provided in the Y direction of the width of the motor vehicle on the rear cross frame portion 29 of the sub frame 25 on the transmission 11 side and on the engine 10 side, respectively.

[0036] The rear left mounting bracket 34 and the rear right mounting bracket 35 are each provided with a rear left fixing bolt 36 and a rear right fixing bolt 37 and are connected to the rear cross member 8 extending in the Y direction of the width of the motor vehicle.

[0037] In order to configure the other portions of the power unit mounting structure 23, the subframe 25 is provided with: a left mounting mechanism 38 fixed to the left side cross frame portion 26 such that the axial direction of the left mounting mechanism 38 is directed in the front-rear direction X of the motor vehicle; a right mounting mechanism 39 fixed to the right side cross frame portion 27 such that the axial direction of the right mounting mechanism 39 is directed in the front-rear direction X of the motor vehicle; and a front mounting mechanism 40 fixed to the front cross frame portion 28 such that the axial direction of the front mounting mechanism 40 is directed in the width direction Y of the motor vehicle.

[0038] As in Fig. 3, both lateral ends of the power unit 9 are attached and supported to the left side cross frame portion 26 and the right side cross frame portion 27, respectively, via the left attachment mechanism 38 and the right attachment mechanism 39. That is, the power unit 9 is supported by connecting the left end portion of the transmission 11 in the vehicle width direction Y to the shaft portion of the left attachment mechanism 38, and by connecting the right end portion of the engine 10 in the vehicle width direction Y to the shaft portion of the right attachment mechanism 39.

[0039] The subframe 25 is formed in a ring shape by means of a pipe material in the power unit mounting structure 23, and thereby the rigidity of the subframe 25 is improved to reduce vibrations transmitted from the front cross frame portion 28 and the rear cross frame portion 29 to the vehicle body 2.

[0040] In the left attachment mechanism 38 and the right attachment mechanism 39, each having a structure in which a shaft of the attachment mechanism is supported in an outer cylinder by means of a vibration absorbing rubber, each of the outer cylinders is fixed to both the left side cross frame portion 26 and the right side cross frame portion 27 in the state in which the axis center of the shaft is directed in the width direction of the motor vehicle.

[0041] Furthermore, the left attachment mechanism 38 and the right attachment mechanism 39 are arranged on the left side cross frame portion 26 and the right side cross frame portion 27, respectively, such that the positions of the attachment mechanisms in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and in the vertical direction of the vehicle approach a horizontal line H passing through the center of gravity of the power unit 9 and extending in the width direction Y of the vehicle. The horizontal line H substantially coincides with the axis center 12C of the rotary shaft 12 of the engine 10.

[0042] A battery for auxiliary devices is arranged above the transmission 11 of the power unit 9, which is supported on the subframe 25 by each of the mounting mechanisms 38, 39, and 40. Furthermore, a battery unit of the high-voltage system for driving the motor 10 is arranged in front of the front cross-frame portion 28 of the subframe 25.

[0043] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, in the subframe 25, the rear left mounting bracket 34 disposed on the differential mechanism 15 side is designed to protrude from the rear cross frame portion 29 toward the front of the vehicle, and the rear right mounting bracket 35 disposed on the engine 10 side is designed to protrude from the rear cross frame portion 29 toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0044] In the power unit mounting structure 23, the directions in which the two rear left and right mounting brackets 34 and 35 project with respect to the rear cross frame portion 29 are designed to be different from each other, so that deformation can be prevented and vibrations transmitted from the sub-frame 25 to the vehicle body 2 can be reduced.

[0045] It should be noted that in the power unit mounting structure 23, a tire support member is provided in a space at the rear of the rear cross frame portion 29 and arranged so that a spare tire can be mounted in the state where the tire is inclined toward the rear lower side of the vehicle. Furthermore, a part of the rear cross frame portion 29 located on the engine 10 side is designed to be curved toward the front of the vehicle along the outer peripheral shape of the spare tire, so that a spare tire having a larger outer diameter can be mounted on the rear side of the rear cross frame portion 29.

[0046] As in the Fig. 1 to Fig. As shown in Fig. 4, a first protection device 41, which supports the high-voltage cable 18 and extends along the motor housing 13, is supported on the motor housing 13. The first protection device 41 is supported on the motor housing 13 such that the position where the arrangement direction of the high-voltage cable 18 is reversed is located near the right attachment mechanism 39.

[0047] In addition, a second protective device 42 for supporting the high-voltage cable 18 is provided on the subframe 25. The second protective device 42 is fixed to the left side cross-frame area 26.

[0048] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in FIG. 4, the rotating shaft 12 of the engine 10 and the main shaft 16 of the differential mechanism 15 are provided side by side so as to be separated from each other in the front-rear direction X of the motor vehicle. Moreover, the first protector 41 supported on the engine housing 13 is provided within a space having the width in the front-rear direction between the rotating shaft 12 of the engine 10 and the main shaft 16 of the transmission 11.

[0049] As in Fig. 1, the low-voltage device to be arranged on the periphery of the power unit 9 and the low-voltage cable harness 20 connected to the low-voltage device 19 are arranged on the right side of the motor vehicle, which is the opposite side to the power unit 9 with respect to the high-voltage cable 18 and the second protective device 42 supporting the high-voltage cable 18.

[0050] The high-voltage cable 18 extends along the engine housing 13 and then extends further and is supported on the vehicle body 2, separated from the low-voltage device 19 and the low-voltage wiring harness 20 by a predetermined distance. Furthermore, the low-voltage wiring harness 20 is routed in the direction away from the power unit 9.

[0051] As in Fig. 2, the high-voltage cable 18 is designed to extend between the right side cross-frame portion 27 of the sub-frame 25 and the right side member 3R, and is routed along the rear cross-frame portion 29 such that the high-voltage cable 18 extends around the sub-frame 25 from the rear side of the sub-frame 25 while the position of the high-voltage cable 18 gradually increases toward the upper side.

[0052] The high-voltage cable 18, which is routed along the right side cross-frame portion 27 and the rear cross-frame portion 29, is supported on the sub-frame 25, crossing the sub-frame 25, and is supported by the rear left mounting bracket 34 and the rear right mounting bracket 35, which are provided as a plurality of mounting brackets for supporting the high-voltage cable 18. The high-voltage cable 18 is further supported by the first protection device 41 and the second protection device 42, which are provided as a plurality of protection devices for protecting the high-voltage cable 18.

[0053] Specifically, immediately after the high-voltage cable 18 exits at the upper front position on the left end surface of the motor 10, the high-voltage cable 18 is curved in an arc shape and guided on the circumference of the motor housing 13 and along the outer surface of the motor housing 13.

[0054] For this reason, the first protective device 41, which protects the high-voltage cable 18, is provided on the periphery of the motor housing 13 and along the outer surface of the motor housing 13. The high-voltage cable 18 is mounted in a comparatively compact manner such that the high-voltage cable 18 is guided only on the periphery of the motor housing 13 in the state in which the curvature radius of the curved portion 18M of the high-voltage cable 18 is ensured.

[0055] Furthermore, the first protector 41 supported on the engine casing 13 is provided so that the curved portion 18M where the arrangement direction of the high-voltage cable 18 is reversed is located near the right attachment mechanism 39 of the power unit 9. The position of the first protector 41 is also a position near the left attachment mechanism 38 and the right attachment mechanism 39, which are located on the horizontal line H passing through the center of gravity of the power unit 9. At this position, the relative positional change between the vehicle body 2 and the power unit 9 is the smallest, and the vibration energy is also small.

[0056] In addition, the rear cross frame portion 29 is located higher than the upper surface of the engine housing 13, and the high-voltage cable 18 and the first protective device 41 are routed under the rear cross frame portion 29 and along the rear cross frame portion 29 so as to be installed within the space corresponding to the outer shape of the sub-frame 25.

[0057] The high-voltage cable 18 extends around the rear side of the rising portion of the left side cross-frame portion 26 of the sub-frame 25, crossing the left side cross-frame portion 26. At this position, the second protection device 42 is provided, which is supported on the left side cross-frame portion 26. The rear left mounting bracket 34 and the rear right mounting bracket 35 are respectively provided at positions slightly spaced from the position of the second protection device 42 in the direction along the high-voltage cable 18, to be supported on the sub-frame 25. Therefore, the high-voltage cable 18 can be designed to run appropriately to avoid local stress concentration and the like, and can be routed appropriately.

[0058] In this way, the position of the high-voltage cable 18 is smoothly shifted from a horizontal height position opposite the ground surface to the fixing position on the subframe 25. Then, as the height of the high-voltage cable 18 increases, the high-voltage cable 18 is curved in a compact manner and extends around the power unit 9 to be connected to the opposite end portion.

[0059] Furthermore, the high-voltage cable 18 arranged along the outer surface of the motor housing 13, the first protection device 41, and the rear cross frame portion 29 are mounted within the space having the front-to-rear width between the axial center 12C of the rotating shaft 12 of the motor 10 and the center (axial center) of the main shaft 16 of the differential mechanism 15 of the transmission 11. With this arrangement, even if a movement eccentric to these shaft centers is caused in the power unit 9, the amount of movement of the high-voltage cable 18 is suppressed to be small.

[0060] By the routing layout of the high-voltage cable 18 as a whole described above, the interference between the low-voltage wiring harness 20 and the high-voltage cable 18 can be avoided even when the low-voltage wiring harness 20 and the electrical components of the low-voltage system are installed in the vehicle center (the area corresponding to the front floor).

[0061] An embodiment of the present invention has been described above. The configuration of the above-described embodiment will be described in conjunction with the appended claims.

[0062] First, in a first aspect of the present invention, the high-voltage cable 18 is connected to the end surface of the motor 8 and is guided along the motor housing 13 by extending in one direction from the connecting portion and then extending in the direction opposite to this one direction, and the first protector 41 supporting the high-voltage cable 18 and extending along the motor housing 13 is supported on the motor housing 13.

[0063] As a result, the high-voltage cable 18 can be routed compactly around the motor housing 13 in the state where the curvature radius of the high-voltage cable 18 is ensured. Furthermore, this compact routing makes it possible to prevent the effects of the high-voltage cable 18, such as the effects related to the generation of electromagnetic noise, on the peripheral devices arranged at positions spaced a small distance from the high-voltage cable 18.

[0064] In a second aspect of the present invention, the subframe 25 is provided, which supports the power unit 9 via the attachment mechanisms 38, 39, and 40, and has at least one rear cross-frame portion 29 extending along the power unit 9. Furthermore, the high-voltage cable 18 extends along the rear cross-frame portion 29, and the second protection device 42 for supporting the high-voltage cable 18 is provided so as to be supported on the subframe 25.

[0065] Therefore, in the state where the load applied to the high-voltage cable 18 supported on the vehicle body 2 via the subframe 25 is reduced, the high-voltage cable 18 can be connected to the engine 10 while being compactly mounted on the engine connection side. Furthermore, the high-voltage cable 18 can be supported while being protected by the guards 41 and 42 and the rear cross-frame portion 29.

[0066] In a third aspect of the present invention, both lateral ends of the power unit 9 are supported on the sub-frame 25 via the attachment mechanisms 38 and 39, respectively, and the first protector 41 is supported on the motor housing 13 such that the position where the direction in which the high-voltage cable 18 extends changes from one direction to the opposite direction is located near the attachment mechanism 38.

[0067] Therefore, in the connection structure in which the high-voltage cable 18 is connected to the power unit 9 which is moved and vibrated relative to the vehicle body 2, the load exerted on the high-voltage cable 18 due to the movement and vibration can be reduced.

[0068] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the rotating shaft 12 of the engine 10 and the main shaft 16 of the transmission 11 are provided side by side so as to be separated from each other in the front-rear direction of the motor vehicle, and the first protector 41 supported on the engine housing 13 is provided within the space having the front-rear width between the rotating shaft 12 of the engine 10 and the main shaft 16 of the transmission 11.

[0069] Therefore, in the connection structure in which the high-voltage cable 18 is connected to the power unit 9 which is moved and vibrated relative to the vehicle body 2, it is possible to reduce the load exerted on the high-voltage cable 18 particularly due to the eccentric movement and vibration of the power unit 9.

[0070] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the low-voltage device 19 to be arranged on the periphery of the power unit 9 and the low-voltage wiring harness 20 connected to the low-voltage device 19 are arranged on opposite sides of the power unit 9 with respect to the high-voltage cable 18 and the second protector 42 supporting the high-voltage cable 18, and the low-voltage wiring harness 20 is extended in a direction away from the power unit 9. After the high-voltage cable 18 extends along the engine housing 13, the high-voltage cable 18 further extends to be separated from the low-voltage devices 19 and the low-voltage wiring harness 20 by a predetermined distance and supported on the vehicle body.

[0071] The effects of electromagnetic noise caused by the high-voltage cable 18 on the low-voltage cable harness 20 can therefore be prevented.

[0072] The guide structure for a high-voltage cable according to the present invention is applicable to various electric vehicles.

Claims

[1] A guide structure for a high-voltage cable (18) of a motor vehicle, the guide structure comprising: a power unit (9) having a motor (10) and a transmission (11) operatively connected to each other; a high-voltage device (17) capable of receiving and outputting high-voltage power; the high-voltage cable (18) for supplying the high-voltage power to the motor (10); a low-voltage device (19) capable of receiving and outputting low-voltage power; and a low-voltage wire harness (20) for supplying the low-voltage power, the power unit (9) being supported by a subframe (25) via a mounting mechanism (23), the subframe (25) being formed in a ring shape, having a transverse frame portion (29) extending along the power unit (9), and being mounted on a motor vehicle body (2),wherein the high-voltage cable (18) is connected to a connecting portion (22) on an end surface of the motor (10) and extends from the connecting portion (22) in one direction and then is curved in the direction opposite to this one direction and then guided along a housing (13) of the motor (10), and wherein the high-voltage cable (18) is supported by a first protector (41) extending along the motor housing (13) and supported on the motor housing (13), and further supported by a second protector (42) supported on an opposite side of the subframe (25) with respect to the connecting portion (22), so that the high-voltage cable (18) extends along the cross-frame portion (29) between the first protector (41) and the second protector (42). [2] A high-voltage cable routing structure of an automotive vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each lateral end of the power unit (9) is supported on the sub-frame (25) via the attachment mechanism (23), and wherein the first protector (41) is supported on the engine case (13) such that the position (18M) at which the direction in which the high-voltage cable (18) extends changes from one direction to the opposite direction is located near the attachment mechanism at one of the lateral ends of the power unit (9). [3] A high-voltage cable guide structure of an automotive vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein a rotary shaft (12) of the engine (10) and a main shaft (16) of the transmission (11) are provided side by side so as to be separated from each other in the front-rear direction of the automotive vehicle, and wherein the first protector (41) supported on the engine casing (13) is disposed within a space having the front-rear width between the rotary shaft (12) of the engine (10) and the main shaft (16) of the transmission (11). [4] A high-voltage cable routing structure of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the low-voltage device (19) arranged on the periphery of the power unit (9) and the low-voltage wire harness (20) connected to the low-voltage device (19) are arranged on the opposite side of the high-voltage cable (18) with respect to the power unit (9), the low-voltage wire harness (20) being routed in the direction away from the power unit (9), and wherein the high-voltage cable (18) extends, after the high-voltage cable (18) has extended along the engine housing (13), so as to be separated from the low-voltage devices (19) and the low-voltage wire harness (20) by a predetermined distance and supported on the motor vehicle body (2).

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