Vehicle lower part structure

Abstract

To enable fixture of a high pressure wire harness and cooling water pipes to a vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle lower part structure has a pair of side frames 12 extending in a vehicle fore and aft direction. The vehicle lower part structure includes a bridging bracket 20 spanning the pair of side frames 12. A high pressure wire harness 30 and cooling water pipes 32 extending in the vehicle fore and aft direction are fixed to the bridging bracket 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle underbody structure, and more particularly to a fixing structure for a high-pressure wire harness and a cooling water pipe in a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known electrically powered vehicles, such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that have a motor as a power source (driving source) for driving the wheels, and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that have both an engine and a motor as a driving source. An electrically powered vehicle is equipped with a driving device including an inverter, a motor, etc., and a battery. The battery supplies power to the driving device. The battery and the driving device are electrically connected by a high-voltage wire harness (hereinafter referred to as a high-voltage wire harness or high-voltage wire).

[0003] The electric vehicle also includes a cooling water pipe that circulates cooling water for cooling heat generating elements such as an inverter. The cooling water heated by the heat generating elements is guided to a radiator through the cooling water pipe, where it is cooled by exchanging heat with airflow while the vehicle is running. The cooled cooling water is guided to the heat generating elements through another cooling water pipe, where it is heated by exchanging heat with the heat generating elements. In this way, the cooling water circulates between the heat generating elements and the radiator to cool the heat generating elements.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure relating to an electrically powered vehicle with a battery arranged under the floor, in which a recess extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is provided on the upper surface of a battery case and a cooling water pipe is housed in the recess. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-147423 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In some electric vehicles, a high-pressure wire harness and a cooling water pipe are arranged to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In such vehicles, for example, the high-pressure wire harness and the cooling water pipe are fixed to a floor panel.

[0007] However, in the case of trucks, automakers sometimes do not place floor panels in the cargo bed area. Truck body manufacturers sometimes modify (fit) the cargo bed area to suit the intended use, and in line with this, automakers sometimes manufacture and ship trucks without floor panels in the cargo bed area. Therefore, the location of the high-pressure wire harness and cooling water piping in the cargo bed area of ​​the truck is an issue.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems in the bed of a truck, a new fixing structure for a high-pressure wire harness and a cooling water pipe in a vehicle is desired. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for fixing a high-pressure wire harness and a cooling water pipe to a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The vehicle understructure of the present invention is characterized in that it has a pair of side frames extending in a fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and is provided with a bridging bracket spanning between the pair of side frames, and a high-pressure wire harness and a cooling water piping extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle are fixed to the bridging bracket. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the high pressure wire harness and the cooling water piping can be fixed to the vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of a lower part of a loading platform of the vehicle. [Diagram 2] 11 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the bridging bracket and the battery case. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1A is a diagram for explaining the structure of a support member of a bridging bracket, and FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining the temporary placement of the bridging member on the support member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein. In all drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, terms indicating directions and orientations such as front, back, left, right, up, down, etc. indicate directions and orientations related to the vehicle. In each drawing, the arrow FR points forward, the arrow UP points upward, and the arrow LH points leftward.

[0013] FIG 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of the lower part of the cargo bed of a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle (BEV) truck. The vehicle 10 is a frame vehicle. The vehicle 10 includes a pair of side frames 12 extending in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of cross members spanning between the pair of side frames 12 at locations not shown in FIG 1. Note that components on the outer sides of each side frame 12 in the vehicle width direction (parts of the side frames 12) are omitted in FIG 1.

[0014] The vehicle 10 (truck) has a cabin located at the front and a cargo bed at the rear. An installation manufacturer installs the cargo bed area of ​​the vehicle 10 according to the intended use. Automobile manufacturers manufacture and ship vehicles 10 that do not have a floor panel in the cargo bed area. The vehicle 10 can be driven even without installation.

[0015] The vehicle 10 is provided with a plurality of deck mounts 14 arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction on each of the pair of side frames 12. The two deck mounts 14 are aligned in the front-rear direction on the left and right side frames 12 to form a left-right pair, constituting a pair of deck mounts 14. Multiple pairs of deck mounts 14 (two pairs of deck mounts 14 are shown in FIG. 1) are provided on the left and right side frames 12. Note that components (parts of the deck mounts 14) on the outer sides of each deck mount 14 in the vehicle width direction are omitted in FIG. 1.

[0016] The bodywork (equipment for the bed portion of the truck) will be disposed on the upper side of the pairs of deck mounts 14.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a battery case 50 that houses a battery. The battery case 50 is located under the bed and disposed between a pair of side frames 12. The vehicle 10 also includes a motor (not shown) as a power source for driving the wheels. A drive unit including the motor is disposed rearward of the vehicle from the location shown in Fig. 1.

[0018] The battery in the battery case 50 and the drive device are electrically connected by a high-voltage wire harness 30. The battery supplies power to the drive device via the high-voltage wire harness 30. The high-voltage wire harness 30 (hereinafter referred to as high-voltage wire 30) is disposed on the upper side of the battery case 50 and extends in the front-rear direction.

[0019] The vehicle 10 also includes a cooling water pipe 32 that circulates cooling water for cooling the drive unit. Two cooling water pipes 32 (two systems) are provided. A radiator (not shown) that exchanges heat between the cooling water and the running air is provided at the front of the vehicle 10. The cooling water heated by the drive unit is guided to the radiator through one cooling water pipe 32, where it is cooled by heat exchange with the running air. The cooled cooling water is guided to the drive unit through the other cooling water pipe 32, where it is heated by heat exchange with the drive unit. In this way, the cooling water circulates between the drive unit and the radiator to cool the drive unit.

[0020] The two cooling water pipes 32 are disposed on the upper side of the battery case 50 and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0021] The vehicle 10 is provided with a plurality of bridging brackets 20 spaced apart in the front-rear direction. Two bridging brackets 20 are shown in Fig. 1. Each of the bridging brackets 20 spans between a pair of side frames 12.

[0022] The bridging bracket 20 includes one bridging member 21 and two support members 22. The bridging member 21 has an L-shaped cross section and extends in the left-right direction. A bent portion 21a (see FIGS. 3(A) and (B)) is provided at the end of the bridging member 21 on the right side of the vehicle (the left end in FIG. 1). The bent portion 21a is a structure for temporarily placing the bridging member 21 with respect to the support members 22, as described below. The bridging member 21 is made of metal.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, two support members 22 are fixed to the left and right side frames 12 to support the bridging member 21. As shown in Fig. 3(A), the support members 22 are made by bending a metal plate. Specifically, the support members 22 are bent vertically to provide the strength to support the bridging member 21. The two support members 22 have symmetrical shapes and have the same mounting structure to the side frames 12.

[0024] In order to reduce costs in small-scale production, the bridging members 21 and the support members 22 are produced by bending with a bender rather than by pressing. The multiple bridging brackets 20 have the same configuration and the same mounting structure.

[0025] Now, with reference to FIG. 1, a process for assembling the bridging bracket 20 to the vehicle body will be described. <Step 1> First, the bridging member 21 and the support member 22 on the left side of the vehicle (the right side in FIG. 1) are prepared with bolts 60A (temporarily fastened). <Step 2> Next, it is bolted 60B (temporarily fastened) to the side frame 12 on the left side of the vehicle (the right side in FIG. 1). <Step 3> Then, the support member 22 on the right side of the vehicle (the left side in FIG. 1) is fastened to the side frame 12 on the right side of the vehicle by bolts 60C. <Step 4> Next, as shown in Fig. 3(B), the bridging member 21 is temporarily placed on the support member 22 on the right side of the vehicle. Specifically, the support member 22 is placed in the gap 21c between the bent portion 21a and the front wall 21b of the bridging member 21. In this state, the bridging member 21 and the support member 22 are fastened with bolts 60D. <Step 5> Then, the bolt fastenings 60A, 60B on the left side of the vehicle (the right side in FIG. 1) are fully tightened.

[0026] As described above, in step 4, the bridging member 21 is temporarily placed on the support member 22. This allows the worker to easily perform the bolt fastening 60D. That is, in the stage of step 4, the bolt fastening 60B (fixation to the side frame 12 on the left side of the vehicle) is in a temporarily fastened state, so the bridging member 21 tends to fall forward relative to the support member 22 on the right side of the vehicle (left side in FIG. 1). If the bent portion 21a does not exist (if temporary placement is not possible), the worker needs to perform the bolt fastening 60D while supporting the bridging member 21 and the support member 22 on the right side of the vehicle (left side in FIG. 1) with his or her hands. However, if the bent portion 21a (see FIG. 3(B)) is present as in this embodiment, the bridging member 21 can be temporarily placed on the support member 22, so that the worker can easily perform the bolt fastening 60D in that state.

[0027] 1, the high voltage wire 30 is fixed to the bridging bracket 20 using a fixing member 40A or a fixing member 40B. The fixing members 40A and 40B have members that surround the periphery of the high voltage wire 30, and are connected to the bridging member 21 of the bridging bracket 20 by welding, bolt fastening, or the like.

[0028] Furthermore, two cooling water pipes 32 are fixed to the bridging bracket 20 using a fixing member 40C or fixing members 40D, 40E. The fixing members 40C, 40D, 40E have members that surround the periphery of the cooling water pipes 32, and are connected to the bridging member 21 of the bridging bracket 20 by welding, bolt fastening, or the like.

[0029] Thus, the bridging bracket 20 allows the high-voltage wire 30 and the cooling water pipe 32 to be fixed (clamped) to the vehicle 10 even in a vehicle 10 that does not have a floor panel in the cargo bed portion. For example, if the high-voltage wire 30 and the cooling water pipe 32 are attached to the side frame 12 and routed along it, there is a risk that the high-voltage wire 30 and the cooling water pipe 32 will be damaged in the event of a side collision of the vehicle 10. However, as in this embodiment, the bridging bracket 20 holds the high-voltage wire 30 and the cooling water pipe 32 on the inside in the vehicle width direction (near the center in the vehicle width direction), thereby reducing the risk of damage in the event of a side collision.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the bridging bracket 20 and the battery case 50 on the right side of the vehicle. Note that in FIG. 2, the bent portion 21a (see FIG. 1) of the bridging member 21 is omitted. When the vehicle is hit from the side, it is necessary to prevent the portion of the support member 22 above the R end (where the dashed line in FIG. 2 contacts the support member 22) from contacting the battery case 50 and damaging the battery therein. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the support member 22 is arranged so that the R end of the support member 22 is located at a position higher than the upper surface of the battery case 50 by a distance H. Note that the support member 22 on the left side of the vehicle is arranged in a similar manner.

[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the bridging bracket 20 is disposed near the deck mount 14. That is, the bridging bracket 20 is disposed within a range from a position a predetermined distance forward from the front end of the deck mount 14 to a position a predetermined distance rearward from the rear end of the deck mount 14. This increases the strength of the vehicle body and achieves high rigidity. In the event of a side collision, it is possible to prevent a colliding object from penetrating into the inside of the vehicle body.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the high-voltage wire 30 is disposed so as to leave a gap between it and the battery case 50. When the vehicle is traveling, the battery case 50 is displaced vertically due to vibration, and the bridging bracket 20 may be twisted to change the vertical position of the high-voltage wire 30. Therefore, taking these factors into consideration, the plate thickness (strength) and the like of the bridging bracket 20 are determined so as to leave a gap between the high-voltage wire 30 and the battery case 50.

[0033] Moreover, the cooling water pipes 32 are arranged to minimize peaks and valleys in order to improve the flow of water inside. As shown in FIG. 1, the front bridging bracket 20 is located slightly lower than the rear bridging bracket 20. If the cooling water pipes 32 were simply arranged on those bridging brackets 20, the cooling water pipes 32 would be inclined downward from the rear to the front. Therefore, in this embodiment, the two cooling water pipes 32 are slightly raised by the fixing member 40C arranged on the front bridging bracket 20. This allows the two cooling water pipes 32 to be held as close to horizontal as possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 10 vehicle, 12 side frame, 14 deck mount, 20 bridging bracket, 21 bridging member, 21a bending portion, 21b front wall, 21c gap, 22 support member, 30 high-voltage wire harness (high-voltage wire), 32 cooling water piping, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E fixing member, 50 battery case, 60A, 60B, 60C, 60D fastening portion.

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle underbody structure having a pair of side frames extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, A bridge bracket is provided between the pair of side frames, A high-pressure wire harness and a cooling water pipe extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle are fixed to the bridging bracket. A vehicle underbody structure comprising:

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