Electric vehicle

Abstract

To inhibit exposure of a high voltage cable caused during a collision in an electric vehicle in which the high voltage cable is disposed in a passenger compartment.SOLUTION: An electric vehicle 100 includes: a high voltage cable 60 arranged in a passenger compartment; a console box 20 housing the high voltage cable 60; a console bracket 40 connecting the console box 20 with an upper surface 12A of a floor tunnel 12; and a metallic cover 30 which is disposed in the console box 20 and covers an upper part of the high voltage cable 60. The metallic cover 30 is rotatably attached to the console bracket 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure of an electric vehicle provided with a console box.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles are used in which a console box for storing small items is provided between the front seats (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in recent years, battery electric vehicles (hereinafter referred to as BEVs) that drive a motor with electric power from a battery charged by an external power source have been used. In such a BEV, a high-voltage cable connecting the battery and high-voltage equipment may be disposed in the vehicle interior. In this case, it is required that the high-voltage cable does not expose into the vehicle interior when the vehicle interior receives an impact force due to a collision or the like.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to suppress the exposure of a high-voltage cable into the vehicle interior during a collision in an electric vehicle in which the high-voltage cable is disposed in the vehicle interior.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The electric vehicle of the present disclosure includes a high-voltage cable disposed in the vehicle interior, a console box that houses the high-voltage cable, a console bracket that connects the console box to the upper surface of the floor tunnel, and a metal cover disposed inside the console box that covers the upper part of the high-voltage cable, and is characterized in that the metal cover is rotatably attached to the console bracket.

[0007] In this way, since the high-voltage cable is covered with the metal cover, an external force can be prevented from being applied to the high-voltage cable. Further, when the vehicle interior receives a large impact force during a collision, the metal cover rotates with respect to the console bracket, so that a large impact force is prevented from being applied to the metal cover and the metal cover is prevented from breaking. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the metal cover from breaking during a collision and the high-voltage cable from being exposed in the vehicle interior.

[0008] In the electric vehicle of the present disclosure, the console box includes a main body attached to the upper surface of the floor tunnel via the console bracket disposed inside, and a cable cover disposed adjacent to the rear of the main body and housing the high-voltage cable inside. The console bracket is box-shaped and houses an inverter inside. The high-voltage cable is connected to the rear end of the inverter and extends from the rear end of the inverter above the floor tunnel toward the rear of the vehicle. The metal cover may be disposed inside the cable cover and cover above the connection portion between the inverter and the high-voltage cable and above the high-voltage cable.

[0009] In this way, since the metal cover covers above the connection portion between the inverter and the high-voltage cable and above the high-voltage cable, an external force can be prevented from being applied to the connection portion between the inverter and the high-voltage cable and the high-voltage cable. Further, it is possible to prevent the connection portion between the inverter and the high-voltage cable and the high-voltage cable from being exposed in the vehicle interior during a collision.

[0010] In the electric vehicle of the present disclosure, the metal cover and the console bracket may be fastened with one bolt.

[0011] As a result, the passenger cannot remove the metal cover without using tools, so it is possible to prevent the passenger from accidentally touching the connection part between the inverter and the high-voltage cable or the high-voltage cable.

Effect of the Invention

[0012] The present disclosure can suppress the exposure of the high-voltage cable into the passenger compartment during a collision in an electric vehicle in which the high-voltage cable is disposed in the passenger compartment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, the electric vehicle 100 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Although the electric vehicle 100 will be described as a BEV, it may also be a hybrid vehicle that runs on an engine and a motor. As shown in FIG. 1, the electric vehicle 100 includes a passenger compartment 10, a console box 20, a console bracket 40, an inverter 50, a metal cover 30, and a high-voltage cable 60. Note that FR, UP, and RH shown in each figure indicate the front side, the upper side, and the right side of the electric vehicle 100, respectively. Also, the directions opposite to FR, UP, and RH indicate the rear side, the lower side, and the left side. Hereinafter, when simply using the directions of front and rear, left and right, and up and down for description, unless otherwise specified, they indicate the front and rear in the front-rear direction of the electric vehicle 100, the left and right in the left-right direction, and the up and down in the up-down direction.

[0015] The passenger compartment 10 includes a floor panel 11, a floor tunnel 12, and a rear floor panel 13. The floor panel 11 is a plate member that constitutes the floor of the passenger compartment 10. The floor tunnel 12 is disposed at the center in the vehicle width direction of the passenger compartment 10 and is a portion that protrudes upward from the upper surface 11A of the floor panel 11. The floor tunnel 12 has a groove-shaped cross section with an open bottom and extends rearward in the vehicle direction from a dash panel (not shown) in front of the passenger compartment to in front of the rear floor panel 13. The rear floor panel 13 is a pedestal-shaped portion that rises upward from the floor panel 11 behind the floor tunnel 12. Left and right front seats (not shown) are attached on the floor panel 11 on both sides of the floor tunnel 12. Also, a rear seat 15 is attached above the rear floor panel 13. The region above the upper surface 11A of the floor panel 11, the region above the upper surface 12A of the floor tunnel 12, and the region above the upper surface 13A of the rear floor panel 13 constitute the interior region of the passenger compartment.

[0016] Above the floor tunnel 12, a console box 20 is mounted. The console box 20 is an interior part for storing small items inside. The console box 20 is composed of a main body 21, an end panel 25, and a cable cover 28. As will be described later, the main body 21 is attached to the upper surface 12A of the floor tunnel 12 via a console bracket 40 disposed inside. An inverter 50 is attached inside the console bracket 40. A high-voltage cable 60 is connected to the inverter 50. The high-voltage cable 60 is housed inside the cable cover 28 and extends rearward of the vehicle from the inverter 50. Also, a floor trim 14 is attached between the cable cover 28 and the rear floor panel 13.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the console bracket 40 is made of metal and includes a housing portion 41, a lower bracket 42, and an upper bracket 43. The housing portion 41 has a rectangular box shape with open front and rear. The inverter 50 is attached to the bottom surface inside the housing portion 41. The lower bracket 42 is a leg portion that is attached to the lower surfaces of the front end and the rear end of the housing portion 41 and extends downward. The lower bracket 42 is attached to the upper surface 12A of the floor tunnel 12 by fastening members such as bolts. The upper bracket 43 is attached to the upper surface of the housing portion 41. The upper bracket 43 includes a pedestal portion 44 to which the main body 21 of the console box 20 is fastened and a tongue portion 46 to which a metal cover 30 is fastened. The pedestal portion 44 has a hat-shaped cross section convex upward, and screw holes 45 are provided in the web. The tongue portion 46 is a plate member that extends in a crank shape rearward in the center in the vehicle width direction of the pedestal portion 44. Bolt holes 47 are provided in the tongue portion 46. Also, a fixing nut 73 (see FIG. 4) is set on the lower surface of the tongue portion 46 (see FIG. 4).

[0018] The inverter 50 attached to the housing portion 41 is provided with connection terminals 51 at its rear end. A connector 61 of the high-voltage cable 60 is connected to the connection terminals 51. The high-voltage cable 60 extends rearward of the vehicle above the floor tunnel 12 from the rear end of the inverter 50. In this way, the high-voltage cable 60 is routed inside the vehicle cabin. Here, the connection terminals 51 and the connector 61 constitute the connection portion between the inverter 50 and the high-voltage cable 60.

[0019] As described above, the console box 20 is composed of a main body 21, an end panel 25, and a cable cover 28. The main body 21 is attached to the upper surface 12A of the floor tunnel 12. The main body 21 is made of resin and has a box portion 22 for storing small items. An arm portion 23 extending obliquely downward is provided at the rear end of the box portion 22. A bolt hole 24 is provided in the arm portion 23.

[0020] The end panel 25 is a member attached to the upper part of the rear end of the main body 21. The end panel 25 is made of resin and is provided with an air outlet 26 for blowing out air-conditioning air rearward. The cable cover 28 is made of resin and is disposed adjacent to the main body 21 at the lower part behind the main body 21.

[0021] The metal cover 30 includes a plate-like portion 31 and a fastening portion 32 protruding forward of the vehicle from the plate-like portion 31. A bolt hole 33 is provided in the fastening portion 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the metal cover 30 is attached to the inner surface of the cable cover 28. A pin seat 29 is provided on the inner surface of the cable cover 28. The metal cover 30 is attached to the inner surface of the cable cover 28 by pins 75.

[0022] Next, the assembly procedure of the console box 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. First, as shown in FIG. 2, align the bolt holes 24 in the arm portion 23 of the main body 21 with the screw holes 45 provided in the pedestal portion 44 of the console bracket 40. Then, fix the arm portion 23 onto the pedestal portion 44 with bolts 71. Thereby, the console bracket 40 connects the main body 21 and the upper surface 12A of the floor tunnel 12.

[0023] Next, connect the cable cover 28 to the rear end of the main body 21 and also connect it onto the floor tunnel 12. Thereby, the positions of the bolt holes 33 in the fastening portion 32 of the metal cover 30 and the bolt holes 47 in the tongue portion 46 of the console bracket 40 are aligned. Pass bolts 72 through the bolt holes 47 and 33, and screw the bolts 72 into the fixing nuts 73 (see FIG. 4) to fasten the fastening portion 32 to the tongue portion 46.

[0024] Next, connect the front end of the end panel 25 to the rear end of the main body 21, and connect the lower end of the end panel 25 to the upper end of the cable cover 28.

[0025] In this way, the main body 21 is attached to the upper surface 12A of the floor tunnel 12 via the console bracket 40 disposed inside. And since the inverter 50 is attached inside the console bracket 40, when the main body 21 is attached to the floor tunnel 12, the inverter 50 is accommodated inside the main body 21. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, when the cable cover 28 is attached onto the floor tunnel 12, the high-voltage cable 60, the connector 61, and the connection terminal 51 are accommodated inside the cable cover 28. Further, the metal cover 30 covers the high-voltage cable 60, the connector 61, and the connection terminal 51 from above. Therefore, the metal cover 30 covers the high-voltage cable 60 and the connection portion between the inverter 50 and the high-voltage cable 60 from above. Also, since the metal cover 30 is fastened to the console bracket 40 with one bolt 72, the metal cover 30 can rotate around the bolt 72 when a large force is applied. Incidentally, the tightening torque of the bolt 72 may be managed so that the metal cover 30 can rotate when a large force is applied.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the high-voltage cable 60 extends rearward of the vehicle above the floor tunnel 12 and extends rearward of the vehicle from the rear end of the cable cover 28. Then, the high-voltage cable 60 extends upward from the front surface of the rear floor panel 13 toward the upper surface 13A of the rear floor panel 13 through between the floor panel 11 and the floor trim 14. Then, it extends rearward of the vehicle between the upper surface 13A of the rear floor panel 13 and the rear seat 15.

[0027] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the movement and deformation of each part during a side impact of the electric vehicle 100 will be described. As shown by the white arrow 91 in FIG. 5, when an impact force is input from the left side of the vehicle due to a side impact, the floor tunnel 12 deforms or moves toward the right. As a result, the console bracket 40 moves or deforms toward the right. At this time, the fastening portion 32 of the metal cover 30 moves toward the right together with the console bracket 40. The fastening portion 32 is fastened to the tongue portion 46 with one bolt 72. For this reason, when the fastening portion 32 receives a large impact force, it rotates around the bolt 72 as shown by the white arrow 92 in FIG. 5. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a large impact force from being applied to the metal cover 30 and suppress the metal cover 30 from breaking. And thereby, it is possible to suppress the metal cover 30 from breaking during a side impact and the high-voltage cable 60 arranged in the vehicle interior from being exposed in the vehicle interior.

[0028] As described above, since the electric vehicle 100 covers the high-voltage cable 60 arranged in the vehicle interior with the metal cover 30, it is possible to prevent an external force from being applied to the high-voltage cable 60. Further, during a collision, the metal cover 30 rotates with respect to the console bracket 40 to deflect the impact force and suppress the metal cover 30 from breaking, and it is possible to suppress the high-voltage cable 60 from being exposed in the vehicle interior.

[0029] In addition, since the electric vehicle 100 covers the upper part of the connection between the inverter 50 and the high-voltage cable 60 and the upper part of the high-voltage cable 60 with the metal cover 30, external force can be prevented from being applied to the connection between the inverter 50 and the high-voltage cable 60 and the high-voltage cable 60. Further, it is possible to suppress the connection between the inverter 50 and the high-voltage cable 60 and the high-voltage cable 60 from being exposed into the passenger compartment during a collision.

[0030] In addition, since the cable cover 28, the floor trim 14, and the rear seat 15 cover the upper part of the high-voltage cable 60 in the electric vehicle 100, it is possible to suppress the high-voltage cable 60 arranged in the passenger compartment from being exposed into the passenger compartment.

[0031] Furthermore, since the metal cover 30 and the console bracket 40 are fastened by bolts 72 in the electric vehicle 100, the metal cover 30 cannot be removed without the occupant using tools. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occupant from accidentally touching the connection between the inverter 50 and the high-voltage cable 60 and the high-voltage cable 60 arranged in the passenger compartment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0032] 10 Passenger compartment, 11 Floor panel, 11A, 12A, 13A Upper surface, 12 Floor tunnel, 13 Rear floor panel, 14 Floor trim, 15 Rear seat, 20 Console box, 21 Main body, 22 Box part, 23 Arm part, 24, 33, 47 Bolt holes, 25 End panel, 26 Air outlet, 28 Cable cover, 29 Pin seat, 30 Metal cover, 31 Plate-like part, 32 Fastening part, 40 Console bracket, 41 Housing part, 42 Lower bracket, 43 Upper bracket, 44 Pedestal part, 45 Screw hole, 46 Tongue part, 50 Inverter, 51 Connection terminal, 60 High-voltage cable, 61 Connector, 71, 72 Bolts, 73 Fixed nut, 75 Pin, 100 Electric vehicle.

Claims

1. A high-voltage cable disposed in the vehicle interior, a console box for housing the high-voltage cable, a console bracket connecting the console box and the upper surface of the floor tunnel, and a metal cover disposed inside the console box and covering the upper part of the high-voltage cable. An electric vehicle comprising: the metal cover is rotatably attached to the console bracket; An electric vehicle characterized by the above.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the console box has a main body attached to the upper surface of the floor tunnel via the console bracket disposed inside, and a cable cover disposed adjacent to the rear of the main body and housing the high-voltage cable inside. The console bracket is box-shaped and houses an inverter inside. The high-voltage cable is connected to the rear end of the inverter and extends from the rear end of the inverter above the floor tunnel toward the rear of the vehicle. The metal cover is disposed inside the cable cover and covers above the connection portion between the inverter and the high-voltage cable and above the high-voltage cable. An electric vehicle characterized by the above. The console bracket is box-shaped and houses an inverter inside, the high-voltage cable is connected to the rear end of the inverter and extends from the rear end of the inverter above the floor tunnel toward the rear of the vehicle, the metal cover is disposed inside the cable cover and covers above the connection portion between the inverter and the high-voltage cable and above the high-voltage cable, An electric vehicle characterized by the above.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the metal cover and the console bracket are fastened with one bolt; An electric vehicle characterized by the above.

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