Flat-floor plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a low-floor plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) (10) with a transverse engine (11), wherein the vehicle (10) has at least one row of seats (12a, 12b), wherein the vehicle (10) has a floor level (13) which is designed as a high-floor floor, wherein the vehicle (10) comprises at least one underfloor battery (14) which is arranged below the floor level (13), and wherein the vehicle (10) comprises at least one foot garage (15a, 15b).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a flat-floor plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) with a transverse engine, wherein the vehicle has at least one row of seats.

[0002] In the prior art, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles are known to have a trunk high-voltage (HV) battery or an underfloor HV battery, which in the prior art are arranged under a second row of seats in the motor vehicle.

[0003] For example, document DE 10 2010 011 578 A1 discloses a PHEV vehicle equipped with a transverse engine and a battery. The fuel tank is located under a second row of seats, i.e., a rear seat, of the vehicle.

[0004] Document JP 2004-9 863 A describes a PHEV vehicle equipped with a transverse engine and a battery. A high-voltage battery is located under the first front row of seats.

[0005] Document CN 102 938 450 A describes a PHEV vehicle with a large underfloor battery and a footwell within the vehicle. A high-voltage battery is located under the first front row of seats.

[0006] Document US 2018 / 0244142A1 describes a vehicle comprising a vehicle interior, a front compartment provided at the front of the vehicle interior, a luggage compartment provided at the rear of the vehicle interior, a weight component comprising at least one drive unit for driving a vehicle wheel and / or a power source to supply fuel or power to the drive unit, and a battery.

[0007] Document US 9,033,085 B1 discloses a chassis-mounted battery pack that includes a footwell cavity aligned with the footwell corresponding to one or more of the vehicle seats, such as the rear seats. Part of the battery pack is located in front of the footwell cavity, while a second part is located behind the footwell cavity, where the two parts are connected by means of wires.

[0008] Document JP 2014 - 208 518 A discloses a component loading structure of a vehicle comprising a first component loading space provided at an underfloor space of a rear seat and a second component loading space provided at an underfloor space of a front seat, as well as a first fuel tank loaded into the first component loading space and a second fuel tank loaded into the second component loading space, in order to be interchangeably loaded into a common vehicle body frame.

[0009] Document DE 10 2017 002 249 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with at least one energy storage device which has at least two energy storage modules arranged side by side in the transverse direction (Y) and / or in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle and with a vehicle body (40) which has at least one body area on which the energy storage device is arranged.

[0010] Current PHEV vehicles have a low energy capacity. Installing larger high-voltage batteries requires a completely raised floor in the vehicle's underfloor area, which currently limits the installation of larger high-voltage batteries to taller vehicles.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that enables the installation of larger high-voltage batteries in a flat-floor plug-in hybrid vehicle.

[0012] This problem is solved by a flat-floor plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments and embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the description, and the description of the figures.

[0013] The present invention relates to a low-floor plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) with a transverse engine, wherein the vehicle has at least one row of seats, wherein the vehicle has a floor level designed as a high-floor, wherein the PHEV includes at least one underfloor battery arranged below the floor level, wherein the vehicle includes at least a first and a second footwell, and wherein the floor level includes at least one high-voltage line arranged centrally along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Typically, the low-floor plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) includes at least two rows of seats, wherein a first row of seats is a front row and a second row of seats is a rear row. Optionally, the first row of seats includes individual seats.

[0014] According to the invention, the floor level has at least one central platform designed to accommodate the at least one high-voltage line, the central platform being located centrally in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and between the first and second footwells. The floor level is dimensioned such that at least one high-voltage battery can be arranged below the floor level, and the vehicle includes at least one footwell.

[0015] The raised floor is usually flat, and is typically between 15 cm and 35 cm, especially between 20 cm and 30 cm, above a roadway.

[0016] A footwell is a recess in the floor level designed to accommodate at least one leg or foot of a vehicle occupant. Designing a PHEV with a footwell allows for a generally flat and even vehicle floor, while still achieving high energy efficiency and maximum trunk volume.

[0017] The vehicle typically includes at least a first and a second footwell. The first and second footwells are arranged side-by-side in the direction of travel or along the vehicle's length. Optionally, the first and second footwells can be positioned or designed with a gap between them.

[0018] Each foot garage is typically rectangular. In an alternative design, at least one foot garage is round or oval.

[0019] The flat-floor plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) offers the advantage that an arrangement of components can be provided which enables a high storage of energy in the design of a flat vehicle.

[0020] In a further development of the invention, at least one underfloor battery is a high-voltage battery. By designing an underfloor battery as a high-voltage battery, high energy capacities can be provided. Furthermore, the position below floor level allows for the installation of a large high-voltage battery in the vehicle.

[0021] Optionally, the underfloor battery can be positioned transversely to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, below floor level. Typically, the underfloor battery is located on one side of the vehicle, particularly the driver's side. This offers the advantage that additional components, especially a junction box and an exhaust system, can be positioned alongside the underfloor battery in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0022] In a further development, at least one high-voltage battery is located beneath the first row of seats. Typically, the high-voltage battery is thus positioned beneath the first row of seats in at least two rows. This offers the advantage that the high-voltage battery is arranged in such a way that a footwell can be created within the vehicle, extending below floor level, since the space between the seat rows required for the footwell is not occupied by the high-voltage battery.

[0023] By placing at least one high-voltage battery under the first row of seats, an unused area of ​​the floor is made available for the high-voltage battery. Typically, the high-voltage battery is located under the first row of seats on either the driver's or passenger's side of the vehicle.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the vehicle comprises at least one tank, wherein the at least one tank is arranged longitudinally behind at least one of the at least one footwell. Preferably, the at least one tank is arranged under a second row of seats in the vehicle. This offers the advantage that a second unused area of ​​the vehicle, below the second row of seats, can be made available for the tank. By arranging the tank below the second row of seats, a tank with a large volume can be provided.

[0025] Optionally, the tank can be positioned transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal direction. In this case, the tank is typically bordered at least by a footwell towards the front of the vehicle. The tank is therefore located below floor level.

[0026] In one embodiment, at least one footwell is arranged or formed between at least one underfloor battery and at least one tank. This offers the advantage that the footwell is recessed into the floor level where the vehicle occupant places their feet. As a result, the vehicle occupant experiences no reduction in comfort in their seating position despite the high floor level.

[0027] The first and / or second footwells are typically recessed or embedded into the floor level. The vehicle usually has at least one high-voltage line between the first and second footwells. This high-voltage line connects, via power electronics, an electric motor of a first electric drivetrain and an electric motor of a second electric drivetrain to the high-voltage battery via a junction box. An electric drivetrain comprises at least one electric motor with at least one power electronics unit and at least one transmission.

[0028] In a further development, the vehicle includes at least one exhaust system located between a sill of the vehicle and at least one footwell. Optionally, the exhaust system is an integrated exhaust system component. For example, the at least one integrated exhaust system component is an exhaust system guide (AGA guide). In one embodiment, the exhaust system guide extends from the transverse engine to a silencer located under a first row of seats between a sill positioned along the passenger side and the battery connection box. From the silencer, the exhaust system guide extends along the sill located on the passenger side, between the sill and a footwell formed on the passenger side in the area of ​​a second row of seats.The exhaust system extends further via at least one silencer, which is located in the area of ​​the rear axle of the vehicle, towards an exhaust pipe.

[0029] In a further embodiment, the exhaust system's ducting extends from the transverse engine to a silencer located beneath the first row of seats, between a sill positioned along the driver's side and the battery terminal box. From the silencer, the exhaust ducting continues along the sill on the driver's side, between the sill and a footwell located on the driver's side in the area of ​​a second row of seats. The exhaust ducting then extends through at least one silencer located in the area of ​​the vehicle's rear axle to an exhaust system.

[0030] In a further development, the vehicle includes at least one silencer, with at least one of the silencers being arranged under the first row of seats of the vehicle.

[0031] In a further development, the vehicle includes at least one charger, with at least one of the chargers being located under the first row of seats. The charger is typically a low-power charger.

[0032] In a further development, the vehicle includes at least one battery box (battery connection box), which is located between a first and a second footwell. Preferably, the battery connection box is positioned centrally within the vehicle. This offers the advantage of a wiring-friendly location for the battery connection box. The charging socket is typically connected directly to the battery connection box via the charger. The battery connection box is usually located between the underfloor battery and a sill.

[0033] In a further development, the floor level includes at least one high-voltage line, which is arranged centrally along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This high-voltage line thus runs below the floor level, centrally between a first footwell and a second footwell.

[0034] At least one high-voltage line is installed to electrically connect at least one connection box to the first electric drive train and / or to the second electric drive train.

[0035] The floor level typically includes at least one central platform designed to accommodate at least one high-voltage line. This central platform is positioned centrally along the vehicle's length, between the first and second footwells.

[0036] By placing the high-voltage line in the centrally designed middle plateau, at least one high-voltage line is positioned so centrally in the vehicle that the high-voltage line has a short distance to a respective electric drive train or a charging socket.

[0037] As a rule, the vehicle has at least one charging socket, with the charging socket being electrically connected to the connection box via at least one high-voltage line.

[0038] The invention is schematically illustrated with reference to embodiments in the drawing and is further described with reference to the drawing, wherein the same components are identified by the same reference numerals. It shows: Fig. Figure 1 shows a top view of a schematic structure of an embodiment of a flat floor of a flat floor plug-in hybrid vehicle according to the invention, Fig. Figure 2 shows a section through the embodiment of the - in Fig. 1 shown - flat floor of the flat floor plug-in hybrid vehicle.

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 shows a top view of a schematic structure of an embodiment of a flat floor of a flat floor plug-in hybrid vehicle according to the invention.

[0040] Fig. Figure 1 shows the structure of a flat-floor plug-in hybrid vehicle 10 with four wheels 19, wherein two wheels 19 are connected to each other by an axle 20a, 20b, and two sills 22 which limit the vehicle 10 on each side.

[0041] Between the four wheels 19 and the two sills 22, a platform (not shown) is formed. This platform is a raised platform on which a vehicle user moves. In other words, a platform is a level on which a vehicle user places their feet.

[0042] Below floor level, the vehicle 10 has a first electric drive train 23a and a transverse engine 11 configured as an internal combustion engine on a first axle 20a. An electric machine 33a (E-machine) is also shown, arranged parallel to the axle in the vehicle 10. The electric drive train 23a is driven by the E-machine 33a.

[0043] A second electric drive train 23b is arranged on a second axle 20b. Both the first axle 20a and the second axle 20b, and thus the first electric drive train 23a and the transverse motor 11, are arranged below floor level. Furthermore, another electric machine 33b (E-machine) is shown, which is arranged parallel to the axles in the vehicle 10. The electric drive train 23b is driven by the E-machine 33b. The vehicle 10 therefore comprises at least one, and in particular two, E-machines 33a, 33b, each configured to drive an electric drive train 23a, 23b.

[0044] Below floor level, an underfloor battery 14, designed as a high-voltage battery, is also arranged. In the present embodiment, the high-voltage battery 14 is only installed on one side of the vehicle.

[0045] In addition to the high-voltage battery 14, the vehicle 10 has a connection box 24 which is connected to the high-voltage battery 14.

[0046] The connection box 24 is connected to the high-voltage battery 14 and electrically connects the first electric drive train 23a on the first axle 20a and the second electric drive train 23b on the second axle 20b. The connection box 24 is also connected to a liquid gas (LG) tank.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the vehicle 10 comprises three silencers 31, one of which is arranged under the first row of seats. The vehicle 10 also comprises a charger 32, which is likewise arranged under the first row of seats.

[0048] The vehicle 10 also has a tank 16. In the present embodiment, the tank 16 is arranged below a second row of seats 12b.

[0049] Vehicle 10 also has two foot garages 15a and 15b. One foot garage 15a and 15b, respectively, is located on each side of the vehicle. The two foot garages 15a and 15b are arranged side by side along the longitudinal axis L of vehicle 10, with the first foot garage 15a located on the driver's side of vehicle 10 and the second foot garage 15b located on the passenger side of vehicle 10.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the first foot garage 15a and the second foot garage 15b are rectangular in shape, with each foot garage 15a, 15b having a greater length transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the vehicle than in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the vehicle.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the first foot garage 15a and the second foot garage 15b are designed to accommodate at least two, and in particular three, feet. Thus, each foot garage 15a, 15b is dimensioned such that it accommodates at least two, and in particular three, feet.

[0052] Due to its dimensions, the vehicle is designed to accommodate at least three people in the second row of seats 12b. The first footwell 15a and the second footwell 15b are spaced apart from each other in such a way that a vehicle occupant sitting in the middle of the second row of seats can place one foot in the first footwell 15a and a second foot in the second footwell 15b.

[0053] The at least one underfloor battery 14 is located at the level of a first row of seats 12a below floor level. In the present embodiment, the high-voltage battery 14 is located on one side of the vehicle.

[0054] The vehicle 10 further includes a charging socket 25, which is formed in the area of ​​one of the wheels 19, in particular a rear wheel, of the vehicle 10.

[0055] Fig. 2 shows the - in Fig. 1 shown - Section A through the flat floor of the flat floor plug-in hybrid vehicle 10.

[0056] The illustration shows two sills 22, which define the sides of the vehicle 10. The flat floor extends from the sills 22 along the floor level 13.

[0057] The floor level 13, which is designed as a raised floor, forms two side platforms 27a and 27b adjacent to the sills 22. In the area of ​​the side platforms 27a and 27b, a storage area is provided and constructed below floor level 13.

[0058] In a first side plateau 27a, 12V lines 26 are laid and in a second side plateau 27b at least one exhaust system or an exhaust system routing 17 is installed and designed.

[0059] The exhaust system or exhaust system routing (AGA routing) 17 is configured to lead from the internal combustion engine, which is located at the front of the motor vehicle 10, to at least one exhaust pipe (not shown) located at the rear of the motor vehicle 10. The AGA routing is configured to direct and discharge exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine below floor level 13 to the at least one exhaust pipe. The exhaust system 17 thus runs from the transverse engine 11, which is located in the area of ​​the front axle of the vehicle 10, via the silencer 31, which is located between the sill 22 and the battery terminal box 24, and continues between the sill 22 and the second footwell 15b towards the rear axle of the vehicle 10.The exhaust system 17 splits in the area of ​​the second, rear axle of the vehicle 10 into two exhaust channels, each leading to a silencer 31, which is designed as a rear silencer.

[0060] Furthermore, floor level 13 has a central plateau 21 which is designed to accommodate at least one high-voltage line 18.

[0061] The central platform 21 is designed to extend from one front of the vehicle 10 to one rear of the vehicle. The central platform 21 has a width in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle that is dimensioned such that at least one high-voltage line 18 can be placed below the central platform 21.

[0062] Between each side platform 27a, 27b and the central platform 21, a foot garage 15a, 15b is formed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each foot garage 15a, 15b is recessed into the floor level 13. Each foot garage 15a, 15b is dimensioned such that at least two, but in particular three, feet can be placed in it.

[0063] In the present embodiment, each foot garage 15a, 15b has beveled or conically tapered side walls, wherein each foot garage 15a, 15b in the present embodiment is angular in shape.

[0064] Each of the foot garages 15a, 15b is designed to accommodate at least one foot. In the present embodiment, the first foot garage 15a is designed to accommodate the feet of a vehicle occupant 28 sitting in the second row of seats on the driver's side of the motor vehicle 10.

[0065] The second foot garage 15b is designed to accommodate the feet of a vehicle occupant 30 sitting on the passenger side of the motor vehicle 10 in the second row of seats.

[0066] Both the first foot garage 15a and the second foot garage 15b are also designed to accommodate one foot of a vehicle occupant 29 sitting in the middle of the second row of seats. Reference symbol list 10 flat-floor plug-in hybrid vehicles 11 transverse engine 12a, 12 first row of seats, second row of seats 13th floor 14 Underfloor battery 15a, 15b first foot garage, second foot garage 16 Tank 17 Exhaust system 18 high-voltage lines 19 wheels 20a, 20b first axis, second axis 21 Middle plateau 22 sills 23a, 23b first electric powertrain, second electric powertrain 24 battery connection box 25 charging sockets 26 12V lines 27a, 27b side platforms 28 Foot space for a first occupant 29 Room for the feet of a second, centrally seated occupant 30 cm of space for the feet of a third occupant 31 silencers 32 charger 33a, 33b Electric machine L Vehicle longitudinal axis A section

Claims

[1] Low-floor plug-in hybrid vehicle, PHEV, (10) with a transverse engine (11), wherein the vehicle (10) has at least one row of seats (12a, 12b), wherein the vehicle (10) has a floor level (13) designed as a high-floor, wherein the vehicle (10) includes at least one underfloor battery (14) arranged below the floor level (13), wherein the vehicle (10) includes at least one first and one second foot garage (15a, 15b), wherein the floor level (13) includes at least one high-voltage line (18) arranged centrally along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, characterized by, that the at least one high-voltage line (18) connects an electric motor of a first electric drive train (23a) and an electric motor of a second electric drive train (23b) to the underfloor battery (14) via a connection box (24), wherein the floor level (13) has at least one central platform (21) which is configured to accommodate the at least one high-voltage line (18), wherein the central platform (21) is formed centrally in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and between the first foot garage (15a) and the second foot garage (15b), wherein the vehicle (10) comprises at least one charger (32), wherein at least one of the at least one charger (32) is arranged under a first row of seats (12a) of the at least one row of seats (12a, 12b) of the vehicle (10). [2] Vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one underfloor battery (14) is a high-voltage battery. [3] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one high-voltage battery is arranged under a first row of seats (12a) of at least one row of seats (12a, 12b). [4] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle (10) includes at least one tank (16), wherein the at least one tank (16) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle behind at least one of the at least one foot garage (15a, 15b). [5] Vehicle (10) according to claim 4, characterized by , that at least one foot garage (15a, 15b) is arranged between at least one underfloor battery (14) and at least one tank (16). [6] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle (10) includes at least one exhaust system (17) which is arranged between a sill of the vehicle and at least one of the foot garages. [7] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle (10) includes at least one silencer (31), wherein at least one of the at least one silencer (31) is arranged under a first row of seats (12a) of the at least one row of seats (12a, 12b) of the vehicle (10). [8] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle (10) comprises at least one battery connection box (24), wherein the battery connection box (24) is arranged in the vehicle (10) between a first foot garage (15a) and a second foot garage (15b). [9] Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the floor level (13) includes at least one high-voltage line (18) which is arranged centrally along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

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