High-pressure connector

Abstract

To provide a high-pressure connector that can suppress a high-pressure cable connected to the high-pressure connector from being damaged, when a vehicle collides.SOLUTION: A high-pressure connector, which electrically connects an electric instrument loaded on a vehicle to a high-pressure cable, is constituted in a nearly L-shape of a first connector part extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle to oppose to an upper surface of the electric instrument and a second connector part extending in a height direction of the vehicle to oppose to a back side of the electric instrument, which is configured to extend the high-pressure cable downward from an end face at a lower side in a height direction of the second connector part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a high voltage connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector protection structure capable of absorbing impacts from the front-rear direction of the vehicle and from above the vehicle for a high-voltage connector provided on the side of a power unit of an electric vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-49943 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional high-voltage connectors, the high-voltage cable exits toward the rear, which means that in the event of a vehicle collision, the lower part of the high-voltage connector may come into contact with obstructions such as the braking system or dash panel, resulting in damage to the high-voltage cable.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a high-voltage connector that can prevent damage to a high-voltage cable connected to the high-voltage connector in the event of a vehicle collision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the high-voltage connector of the present invention is a high-voltage connector for electrically connecting an electrical device mounted on a vehicle to a high-voltage cable, the high-voltage connector being configured in a substantially L-shape with a first connector portion extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and facing the top surface of the electrical device, and a second connector portion extending in the height direction of the vehicle and facing the back surface of the electrical device, and configured so that the high-voltage cable extends downward from the lower end face of the second connector portion in the height direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The high-voltage connector according to the present invention has an advantage in that it is possible to suppress damage to a high-voltage cable connected to the high-voltage connector in the event of a vehicle collision. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high-voltage connector according to an embodiment is assembled to a PCU. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the high voltage connector according to the present invention will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high-voltage connector 3 according to the embodiment is assembled to a PCU 1. The high-voltage connector 3 according to the embodiment is used to electrically connect a PCU (Power Control Unit) 1, which is an electrical device mounted on a vehicle, to a high-voltage cable 4. The high-voltage connector 3 is provided so as to be electrically connected to one end of the high-voltage cable 4. The other end of the high-voltage cable 4 is electrically connected to a high-voltage battery, which is an electricity storage device mounted on the vehicle. The vehicle includes a motor, which is a rotating electric machine, a PCU 1, which is a power control device that controls the power supplied from the high-voltage battery to the motor, and an engine compartment in which the motor and the PCU 1 are arranged in the same space. In the hybrid vehicle according to the embodiment, a transaxle case 2 that houses the motor, the transaxle, and the like is arranged in the engine compartment.

[0011] The motor is a rotating electric machine capable of functioning as an electric motor and a generator. The PCU1 is composed of an inverter, a control board, and a case that houses the inverter and the control board. The PCU1 is attached to the upper surface of the transaxle case 2 and is configured as an integrated mechanical and electrical device. The electrical device is not limited to the PCU1, and may be, for example, an inverter. The transaxle is a power transmission device provided in a power transmission path between the motor and the drive wheels, and transmits the power output from the motor to the drive wheels. The transaxle is composed of, for example, a transmission and a differential gear mechanism. The engine compartment is a space into which air can flow from the front while the vehicle is traveling.

[0012] The high-voltage connector 3 is configured in a substantially L-shape by a first connector portion 3a extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and facing the PCU upper surface 1a, and a second connector portion 3b extending in the vehicle height direction and facing the PCU rear surface 1b. The PCU rear surface 1b is the rear surface of the PCU 1 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A connector side terminal is provided at the front end of the first connector portion 3a in the vehicle longitudinal direction, which is fitted and electrically connected to a PCU side terminal provided on the PCU upper surface 1a. The rear end of the first connector portion 3a in the vehicle longitudinal direction is integrally connected to an upper end of the second connector portion 3b in the height direction. From the lower end face in the height direction of the second connector portion 3b, a high-voltage cable 4 electrically connected to the connector side terminal inside the high-voltage connector 3 extends downward in the height direction.

[0013] In the high-voltage connector 3 according to the embodiment, the first connector portion 3a is in contact with the PCU top surface 1a, and the second connector portion 3b is in contact with the PCU rear surface 1b. At least one of the first connector portion 3a and the PCU top surface 1a or the second connector portion 3b and the PCU rear surface 1b may not be in contact. That is, the high-voltage connector 3 according to the embodiment may be configured such that the first connector portion 3a and the second connector portion 3b are in a substantially L-shape that fits along the PCU top surface 1a and the PCU rear surface 1b. In the high-voltage connector 3 according to the embodiment, the substantially L-shape that fits along the PCU top surface 1a and the PCU rear surface 1b makes it easier to assemble the high-voltage connector 3 to the PCU 1 in order to electrically connect the PCU side terminals and the connector side terminals.

[0014] Furthermore, in the high-voltage connector 3 according to the embodiment, the high-voltage cable 4 extends downward from the lower end face in the height direction of the second connector portion 3b. This makes it possible to avoid interference between the high-voltage cable 4 and an obstruction 5, such as a brake device or dash panel, which is a rear component disposed at the rear of the high-voltage connector 3, during a frontal collision of the vehicle. It is also possible to prevent the high-voltage cable 4 from being pinched between the PCU 1 and the obstruction 5 during a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0015] The high-voltage connector 3 according to the embodiment is designed for strength capable of suppressing damage to the interfering portion of the high-voltage connector 3 with an obstructing object 5 when the high-voltage connector 3 interferes with an obstructing object 5 during a vehicle collision. For example, the high-voltage connector 3 is made of aluminum die-cast, and its strength is increased by increasing the thickness of the housing constituting the high-voltage connector 3 and providing reinforcing members such as ribs inside the housing.

[0016] As described above, in the high-voltage connector 3 of the embodiment, the high-voltage cable 4 connected to the high-voltage connector 3 can be prevented from interfering with and being damaged by an obstruction 5 such as a braking device or dash panel during a vehicle collision. [Explanation of symbols]

[0017] 1 PCU 2 Transaxle case 3 High voltage connector 4 High voltage cables 5. Interference

Claims

[Claim 1] A high-voltage connector for electrically connecting an electrical device mounted on a vehicle to a high-voltage cable, the high-voltage connector is configured in a substantially L-shape by a first connector portion extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle and facing an upper surface of the electrical device, and a second connector portion extending in a height direction of the vehicle and facing a rear surface of the electrical device, A high-voltage connector, characterized in that the high-voltage cable is extended downward from a lower end face of the second connector portion in the height direction.

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