In-wheel motor connection structure

Abstract

To provide an in-wheel motor connection structure which enables reduction of vibration transmitted from an in-wheel motor to a vehicle body.SOLUTION: An in-wheel motor connection structure includes: a motor unit housed in a wheel and including an in-wheel motor which rotationally drives the wheel; a trailing-arm extending forward from the motor unit and connecting the motor unit with a vehicle body; a first link mechanism which connects the motor unit with the trailing-arm; and a second link mechanism which has a length different from that of the first link mechanism and connects the motor unit with the trailing-arm.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-wheel motor connection structure.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an in-wheel motor unit coupling structure including a motor unit that rotatably holds a wheel and rotationally drives the wheel, and a trailing arm connected to the motor unit. In this configuration, the trailing arm is fixed to the motor unit via a base with three screws.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When torque fluctuations occur in the in-wheel motor, vibrations occur in the rotational direction (front-rear direction and up-down direction of the vehicle) of the in-wheel motor. In the conventional configuration of fixing the trailing arm to the motor unit, vibrations from the motor unit are transmitted to the vehicle body via the trailing arm, so it is preferable to improve this.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an in-wheel motor connection structure capable of reducing vibrations transmitted from the in-wheel motor to the vehicle body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The in-wheel motor connection structure according to the present disclosure includes a motor unit accommodated in a wheel and including an in-wheel motor that rotationally drives the wheel, a trailing arm that extends forward from the motor unit and connects the motor unit and the vehicle body, a first link mechanism that connects the motor unit and the trailing arm, and a second link mechanism that has a different length from the first link mechanism and connects the motor unit and the trailing arm.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to realize an in-wheel motor connection structure capable of reducing vibrations transmitted from the in-wheel motor to the vehicle body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The in-wheel motor connection structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the components in the following embodiments include those that can be replaced by those skilled in the art and are easy to replace, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) 〔Configuration of the In-Wheel Motor Connection Structure〕 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an in-wheel motor connection structure according to Embodiment 1. The in-wheel motor connection structure 1 includes a trailing arm 2, a connection portion 3, an upper arm 4, a lower arm 5, and a motor unit 6.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a view of the in-wheel motor connection structure of FIG. 1 as seen from the rear. FIG. 2 corresponds to the view taken along arrow A in FIG. 1. The in-wheel motor connection structure 1 includes a first link mechanism 7 and a second link mechanism 8.

[0012] The in-wheel motor connection structure 1 is a structure that connects an in-wheel motor disposed on each wheel of a vehicle to the vehicle body side.

[0013] The trailing arm 2 extends forward from the motor unit 6 of the vehicle and connects the motor unit 6 and the vehicle body.

[0014] The connection portion 3 connects the trailing arm 2 to the vehicle body side.

[0015] The upper arm 4 and the lower arm 5, together with the trailing arm 2, connect the motor unit 6 and the vehicle body. The configurations such as the number and length of the upper arm 4 and the lower arm 5 are not particularly limited.

[0016] The motor unit 6 is housed in a wheel and includes an in-wheel motor that rotationally drives the wheel. In the in-wheel motor, when torque fluctuation occurs, vibration is generated in the rotational direction (front-rear direction and up-down direction of the vehicle) of the in-wheel motor.

[0017] The first link mechanism 7 and the second link mechanism 8 connect the motor unit 6 and the trailing arm 2. The first link mechanism 7 extends in a direction along the axle, and the second link mechanism 8 extends in a direction intersecting the axle. Therefore, the lengths of the first link mechanism 7 and the second link mechanism 8 are different. Further, the first link mechanism 7 is attached offset below the rotation center of the motor unit 6. The second link mechanism 8 is attached below the first link mechanism 7.

[0018] The connecting portion 7a rotatably connects the first link mechanism 7 and the trailing arm 2. Similarly, the connecting portion 7b rotatably connects the first link mechanism 7 and the motor unit 6.

[0019] The connecting portion 8a rotatably connects the second link mechanism 8 and the trailing arm 2. Similarly, the connecting portion 8b rotatably connects the second link mechanism 8 and the motor unit 6.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how vibrations from the in-wheel motor are transmitted. As shown in FIG. 3, when vibrations in the rotational direction (front-rear direction and up-down direction with respect to the vehicle) from the in-wheel motor of the motor unit 6 are transmitted to the trailing arm 2, due to the different lengths of the first link mechanism 7 and the second link mechanism 8, a part of the vibrations is shifted in the lateral direction (width direction of the vehicle). As a result, the vibrations transmitted from the in-wheel motor to the vehicle body can be reduced.

[0021] (Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a view of the in-wheel motor connection structure according to Embodiment 2 as seen from the rear. The in-wheel motor connection structure 1A includes a first link mechanism 7A and an elastic member 8A as the second link mechanism.

[0022] The first link mechanism 7A and the elastic member 8A each extend in a direction along the axle, and in a state where no external force is applied to the elastic member 8A, they have the same length. Also, the first link mechanism 7A is mounted offset downward from the rotation center of the motor unit 6. The elastic member 8A is mounted below the first link mechanism 7A. The connecting portion 7Ab rotatably connects the first link mechanism 7A and the motor unit 6.

[0023] The elastic member 8A is a spring such as a metal or an alloy, and deforms when an external force is applied, changing its length.

[0024] According to the in-wheel motor connection structure 1A, when vibrations in the rotational directions (the longitudinal and vertical directions of the vehicle) from the in-wheel motor of the motor unit 6 are transmitted to the trailing arm 2, the elastic member 8A deforms, causing a part of the vibrations to shift in the lateral direction (the width direction of the vehicle). As a result, the vibrations transmitted from the in-wheel motor to the vehicle body can be reduced.

[0025] As in Embodiment 2, the lengths of the plurality of link mechanisms may be the same. In this case, if the length of any one of the link mechanisms is configured to change according to an external force, a part of the vibrations from the in-wheel motor can be shifted in the lateral direction, and the vibrations transmitted from the in-wheel motor to the vehicle body can be reduced.

[0026] (Embodiment 3) FIG. 5 is a view of the in-wheel motor connection structure according to Embodiment 3 as seen from the rear. The in-wheel motor connection structure 1B includes a trailing arm 2B and a first link mechanism 7B.

[0027] The first link mechanism 7B is attached offset below the rotation center of the motor unit 6. The connection part 8B is located below the first link mechanism 7B. The connection part 7Ba rotatably connects the first link mechanism 7B and the trailing arm 2B. The connection part 8B rotatably connects the first link mechanism 7B and the motor unit 6.

[0028] The trailing arm 2B is inclined in a direction intersecting the vertical direction of the vehicle, and is directly and rotatably connected to the motor unit 6 by the connection part 8B located at its lower end.

[0029] According to the in-wheel motor connection structure 1B, when vibrations in the rotational directions (the longitudinal and vertical directions of the vehicle) from the in-wheel motor of the motor unit 6 are transmitted to the trailing arm 2B, the trailing arm 2B is inclined, causing a part of the vibrations to shift in the lateral direction (the width direction of the vehicle). As a result, the vibrations transmitted from the in-wheel motor to the vehicle body can be reduced.

[0030] As in Embodiment 3, there may be one link mechanism. In this case, as in Embodiment 3, if a part of the trailing arm is inclined in a direction intersecting the vertical direction of the vehicle, the vibration transmitted from the in-wheel motor to the vehicle body can be reduced.

[0031] Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0032] 1, 1A, 1B In-wheel motor connection structure 2, 2B Trailing arm 3 Connection part 4 Upper arm 5 Lower arm 6 Motor unit 7, 7A, 7B First link mechanism 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 7Ab, 7Ba, 8B Connection part 8 Second link mechanism 8A Elastic member

Claims

【Claim 1】 A motor unit housed in a wheel and including an in-wheel motor for rotationally driving the wheel; A trailing arm extending forward from the motor unit and connecting the motor unit and the vehicle body; A first link mechanism connecting the motor unit and the trailing arm; A second link mechanism having a different length from the first link mechanism and connecting the motor unit and the trailing arm; An in-wheel motor connection structure comprising the above.

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