Electric vehicle

Abstract

To inhibit interference between a battery and a connection member in a frame-type electric vehicle.SOLUTION: An electric vehicle 100 includes: left and right side rails 11L and 11R extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction; a battery 35 disposed between the left and right side rails 11L and 11R; an electric unit 36 disposed at a vehicle rear side relative to the battery 35; an auxiliary machine unit 34 disposed at a vehicle front side relative to the battery 35; and a connection member 40 connecting the auxiliary machine unit 34 and the electric unit 36 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The connection member 40 is disposed at a position separated upward from the battery 35.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the structure of an electric vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as BEV) in which a battery is suspended and fixed below a frame composed of left and right side rails and a plurality of cross members spanned between the left and right side rails.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an electric truck having a frame composed of a plurality of cross members spanned between left and right side rails. Also in this electric truck, the battery is suspended and fixed below the frame. Further, in this electric truck, electrical components are housed in a front front compartment, and a drive unit is mounted behind the battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in a frame-type electric vehicle, in order to secure a mounting space for the battery, it has been considered to mount the battery between the side rails, mount an auxiliary unit in front of the battery, and mount an electric unit behind the battery. In this case, it is necessary to connect the front auxiliary unit and the rear electric unit in the vehicle longitudinal direction with a connecting member. These connecting members connect the auxiliary unit and the electric unit across the battery in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0006] On the one hand, the battery may cause expansion deformation due to heat dissipation. In this case, as the temperature of the upper surface of the battery rises, it bends and deforms convexly upward, so there is a risk that the battery will interfere with the connection member and damage the connection member.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to suppress interference between a battery and a connection member in a frame-type electric vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The electric vehicle of the present disclosure includes left and right side rails extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a battery disposed between the left and right side rails, an electric unit disposed behind the battery in the vehicle, an auxiliary unit disposed in front of the battery in the vehicle, and a connection member connecting the auxiliary unit and the electric unit in the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein the connection member is disposed at a position spaced upward from the battery.

[0009] In this way, by disposing the connection member at a position spaced upward from the battery, it is possible to suppress interference between the battery and the connection member when the battery expands and deforms.

[0010] In the electric vehicle of the present disclosure, a cross bracket spanning between the left and right side rails is provided above the battery, and the connection member may be disposed above the central portion of the cross bracket in the vehicle width direction.

[0011] In this way, since the connection member is disposed above the central portion of the cross bracket, it is possible to suppress contact between the battery with an increased temperature and the connection member when the battery expands and deforms, and to suppress damage to the connection member even when the side rail deforms during a side impact. Further, thereby, the path of the connection member can be shortened as compared with the case where the connection member is disposed along the side rail.

[0012] In the electric vehicle of the present disclosure, a plurality of the cross brackets may be provided at a predetermined interval in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0013] Thereby, it is possible to suppress a connecting member extending in the vehicle front-rear direction from sagging downward and approaching the battery.

[0014] In the electric vehicle of the present disclosure, the cross bracket may be provided with a flat portion extending along the upper surface of the battery at the lower end portion.

[0015] Thereby, even when the battery expands and deforms and interferes with the cross bracket, the battery contacts the flat portion, so that damage to the battery can be suppressed.

[0016] In the electric vehicle of the present disclosure, the cross bracket may have L-shaped cross sections at the left and right end portions and a groove-shaped cross section with the vehicle front or the vehicle rear opened at the central portion.

[0017] Thereby, it is possible to suppress damage to the battery when the battery expands and deforms and interferes with the cross bracket with a simple configuration. In addition, the rigidity of the cross bracket can be reduced to suppress an influence on the deformation mode of the side rail during a collision.

[0018] In the electric vehicle of the present disclosure, the end portion of the cross bracket has an L-shaped cross section composed of an upper plate and a vertical plate extending downward from the upper plate, and is respectively attached to the left and right side rails and extends upward. The left and right mounting brackets having a plate flange to which the vertical plates of the left and right end portions are fastened at the upper portion, and the cross bracket may be provided with an arm portion extending downward from the upper plate at one or both of the left and right end portions and sandwiching the plate flange of the mounting bracket between the vertical plates.

[0019] In this way, the vertical plate and the arm portion can sandwich the plate flange of one mounting bracket to temporarily hold one end portion of the cross bracket to one mounting bracket. Then, with one end portion of the cross bracket being temporarily held, the vertical plate of the other end portion can be fastened to the other plate flange, and thereafter, the vertical plate of one end portion can be fastened to the one plate flange. Thereby, the mounting work of the cross bracket can be performed by one person.

[0020] In the electric vehicle of the present disclosure, the auxiliary unit may include a radiator, and the connecting member may be a cooling pipeline that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction between the radiator and the electric unit to reflux cooling water to the radiator and the electric unit.

[0021] Thereby, it is possible to suppress the battery from interfering with the cooling pipeline when the battery expands and deforms.

[0022] In the electric vehicle of the present disclosure, the auxiliary unit may include a power distribution unit that distributes power from the battery to the electric unit and other in-vehicle devices, and the connecting member may be a power cable that transmits power from the power distribution unit to the electric unit.

[0023] Thereby, it is possible to suppress the battery from interfering with the power cable when the battery expands and deforms.

[0024] In the electric vehicle of the present disclosure, the auxiliary unit may include a radiator and a power distribution unit that distributes power from the battery to the electric unit and other in-vehicle devices, and the connecting member may be a cooling pipeline that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction between the radiator and the electric unit to reflux cooling water to the radiator and the electric unit, and a power cable that transmits power from the power distribution unit to the electric unit.

[0025] Thereby, it is possible to suppress the battery from interfering with either one or both of the cooling pipeline and the power cable when the battery expands and deforms.

[0026] In the electric vehicle of the present disclosure, a cab mounted above the left and right side rails in front of the vehicle, and a deck mounted above the left and right side rails behind the cab of the vehicle are included. The cross bracket is disposed in a range where the deck of the left and right side rails is mounted. The front portion of the connecting member is supported by the floor panel of the cab, and the rear portion of the connecting member may be disposed above the central portion in the vehicle width direction of the cross bracket so that the height in the vehicle up and down direction is substantially the same as that of the front portion.

[0027] Thereby, in a frame-type electric vehicle including a cab and a deck, the connecting member can be disposed at substantially the same height with a simple configuration.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] The present disclosure can suppress interference between the battery and the connecting member in a frame-type electric vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] Hereinafter, the electric vehicle 100 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 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 shall 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.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the electric vehicle 100 includes a frame 10, a battery 35, an electric unit 36, an accessory unit 34, a front compartment 31, a cab 32, a deck 33, and first and second cross brackets 50 and 60. The electric vehicle 100 is a battery electric vehicle that drives the electric unit 36 with electric power supplied from the battery 35 charged by an external power source and runs.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 10 is a ladder-shaped skeletal member composed of left and right side rails 11L and 11R, and first to fifth cross members 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 extending in the vehicle width direction so as to span between the left and right side rails 11L and 11R. Front suspension brackets 21L and 21R are attached to the outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the left and right side rails 11L and 11R between the first cross member 12 and the second cross member 13 at the front of the vehicle. Suspension devices for the left and right front wheels 65L and 65R are attached to the front suspension brackets 21L and 21R. Further, a front compartment 31 is disposed above between the first cross member 12 and the second cross member 13. Also, suspension devices (not shown) for the left and right rear wheels 66L and 66R are attached between the third cross member 14 and the fourth cross member 15 at the rear of the vehicle.

[0033] Front cab mount brackets 22L and 22R are attached to the outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the left and right side rails 11L and 11R behind the second cross member 13. Front cab mounts 27L and 27R that support the left and right sides in front of the cab 32 are attached to the front cab mount brackets 22L and 22R. Also, rear cab mount brackets 23L and 23R are attached to the outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the left and right side rails 11L and 11R between the second cross member 13 and the third cross member 14. Rear cab mounts 28L and 28R that support the left and right sides behind the cab 32 are attached to the rear cab mount brackets 23L and 23R. Also, left and right first deck mounts 24L and 24R, left and right second deck mounts 25L and 25R, and left and right third deck mounts 26L and 26R are attached to the upper parts of the left and right side rails 11L and 11R behind the rear cab mount brackets 23L and 23R. The left and right first to third deck mounts 24L, 24R, 25L, 25R, 26L, and 26R support the deck 33.

[0034] A battery 35 is mounted between the left and right side rails 11L and 11R between the second cross member 13 and the third cross member 14. Also, an electric unit 36 for driving the left and right rear wheels 66R and 66L is mounted between the third cross member 14 and the fourth cross member 15. Further, an accessory unit 34 is housed inside the front compartment 31 in the front of the vehicle. Thus, the electric unit 36 is arranged behind the battery 35 in the vehicle, and the accessory unit 34 is arranged in front of the battery 35 in the vehicle.

[0035] The battery 35 is a high-voltage device that is charged by an external power source and supplies driving power to the electric unit 36. The electric unit 36 is a device that integrates a motor for running, a gear, an inverter, an oil pump, etc. The accessory unit 34 includes a radiator 34A and a power distribution unit 34B. The radiator 34A is a heat exchanger that releases the heat of the cooling water that cools the electric unit 36 to the outside. The power distribution unit 34B is a device that distributes the power input from the battery 35 into high-voltage driving power supplied to the electric unit 36 and low-voltage accessory power supplied to other in-vehicle devices. Incidentally, the accessory unit 34 may further include a compressor for air conditioning, a condenser, a water heater, an accessory battery, etc.

[0036] The radiator 34A and the electric unit 36 are connected by a cooling pipeline 42 composed of a cooling water supply pipe 41A and a cooling water return pipe 41B. Also, the power distribution unit 34B and the electric unit 36 are connected by a power cable 43. The cooling pipeline 42 and the power cable 43 constitute a connecting member 40 that connects the accessory unit 34 and the electric unit 36 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As will be described later, the cooling pipeline 42 and the power cable 43 are arranged spaced apart upward from the battery 35.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the cab 32 is mounted on the left and right front cab mounts 27L and 27R and the left and right rear cab mounts 28L and 28R. The interior of the cab 32 is a passenger compartment for the passengers of the electric vehicle 100. The deck 33 is mounted behind the cab 32 on the left and right first to third deck mounts 24L, 24R, 25L, 25R, 26L, and 26R. The deck 33 is a space for loading luggage. The height of the floor panel 33A of the deck 33 is higher than the position of the floor panel 32A of the cab 32.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the first and second cross brackets 50 and 60 are arranged in front of the third cross member 14 within the range where the deck 33 is mounted and span between the left and right side rails 11L and 11R. The first and second cross brackets 50 and 60 are arranged side by side in the vehicle longitudinal direction with a predetermined interval therebetween. The first cross bracket 50 is composed of a central portion 59 at the center in the vehicle width direction and left and right end portions 58L and 58R outside the vehicle width direction from the central portion 59. Similarly, the second cross bracket 60 is composed of a central portion 69 at the center in the vehicle width direction and left and right end portions 68L and 68R outside the vehicle width direction from the central portion 69.

[0039] The first cross bracket 50 is attached to the left and right side rails 11L and 11R via the left and right attachment brackets 51L and 51R. As shown in FIG. 3, the left and right attachment brackets 51L and 51R are fixed to the inner surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the left and right side rails 11L and 11R with bolts 72L and 72R and are folding plate members extending upward. The upper portions of the left and right attachment brackets 51L and 51R extend above the upper surface 35A of the battery 35. And the first cross bracket 50 is fixed to the upper portions of the left and right attachment brackets 51L and 51R with bolts 71L and 71R so that the lower surface is above the upper surface 35A of the battery 35. In this way, the first cross bracket 50 is spanned between the left and right side rails 11L and 11R above the battery 35.

[0040] The configuration of the second cross bracket 60 is the same as that of the first cross bracket 50. Also, the configurations of the left and right mounting brackets 61L and 61R are the same as those of the left and right mounting brackets 51L and 51R. And, similar to the first cross bracket 50, the second cross bracket 60 is spanned between the left and right side rails 11L and 11R above the battery 35. Incidentally, the detailed structures of the first and second cross brackets 50 and 60 and the mounting brackets 51L, 51R, 61L, and 61R will be described later.

[0041] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the arrangement and path of the cooling pipeline 42 and the power cable 43 will be described.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooling pipeline 42 extends from the lower right side of the radiator 34A toward the rear of the vehicle, curves toward the center in the vehicle width direction behind the second cross member 13, and then extends toward the rear of the vehicle along the center in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the electric unit 36. As shown in FIG. 2, the cooling pipeline 42 is disposed below the front compartment 31, below the cab 32 and the deck 33, and above the battery 35. The cooling pipeline 42 is suspended by the suspension members 32B and 32C from the floor panel 32A of the cab 32 below the cab 32. Also, the cooling pipeline 42 is disposed above the first and second cross brackets 50 and 60 below the deck 33. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the cooling pipeline 42 is mounted on a pedestal 45 mounted on the central portion 59 of the first cross bracket 50. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the cooling pipeline 42 is arranged such that the height in the vehicle vertical direction is substantially the same below the cab 32 and below the deck 33.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 1, the power cable 43 extends from the front power distribution unit 34B in the center in the vehicle width direction toward the rear electric unit 36. As shown in Fig. 2, the power cable 43 extends from the power distribution unit 34B toward the rear of the vehicle, then bends downward and extends downward inside the front compartment 31, and then bends toward the rear of the vehicle and extends toward the rear of the vehicle. Similar to the cooling pipeline 42, the power cable 43 is arranged below the cab 32 and the deck 33 and above the battery 35. Below the cab 32, it is suspended by the suspension members 32B and 32C from the floor panel 32A of the cab 32. Below the deck 33, it is arranged above the first and second cross brackets 50 and 60. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the power cable 43 is mounted on a pedestal 46 mounted on the center part 59 of the first cross bracket 50. Similar to the cooling pipeline 42, the power cable 43 is arranged at substantially the same height below the cab 32 and below the deck 33.

[0044] In this way, the cooling pipeline 42 and the power cable 43 are arranged above the central parts 59 and 69 of the first and second cross brackets 50 and 60, at a position spaced upward from the upper surface 35A of the battery 35. Also, the front part of the cooling pipeline 42 and the front part of the power cable 43 are supported by the floor panel 32A of the cab 32, and the rear part of the cooling pipeline 42 and the rear part of the power cable 43 are supported by the central parts 59 and 69 of the first and second cross brackets 50 and 60 so that the height in the vehicle vertical direction is substantially the same as that of each front part.

[0045] Next, the detailed structure of the first cross bracket 50 and the left and right mounting brackets 51L and 51R will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 7. The structure of the second cross bracket 60 and the mounting brackets 61L and 61R is the same as that of the first cross bracket 50 and the mounting brackets 51L and 51R, so the description will be omitted.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the left and right end portions 58L and 58R of the first cross bracket 50 have an L-shaped cross section composed of an upper plate 50A and a vertical plate 50B extending downward from the front end of the upper plate 50A. Further, the central portion 59 of the first cross bracket 50 is composed of an upper plate 50A, a vertical plate 50B, and a lower plate 50C extending rearward of the vehicle from the lower end of the vertical plate 50B, and has a groove-shaped cross section with the rear of the vehicle open. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower plate 50C is composed of a front portion 50CF and a rear portion 50CR. The front portion 50CF is a portion extending horizontally rearward of the vehicle from the lower end of the vertical plate 50B. The rear portion 50CR is a portion extending obliquely upward from the rear end of the front portion 50CF. When the first cross bracket 50 is attached to the left and right side rails 11L and 11R and the battery 35 is mounted between the left and right side rails 11L and 11R, the front portion 50CF is disposed at the lower end portion of the central portion 59 and constitutes a flat portion extending horizontally along the upper surface 35A of the battery 35.

[0047] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a plate-shaped arm portion 50D extending downward from the right end of the upper plate 50A is provided at the right end portion 58R. A gap 50S is formed between the arm portion 50D and the vertical plate 50B. Further, bolt holes 50E and 50F are provided at the left and right ends of the vertical plate 50B, respectively. The bolt hole 50E is an elongated hole, and the bolt hole 50F is a round hole.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the left mounting bracket 51L includes a fixing portion 54L, a main body portion 53L, a plate flange 52L, and an insertion portion 57L. The fixing portion 54L is a plate-shaped portion fixed to the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the left side rail 11L. The main body portion 53L is a plate-shaped portion extending upward from the upper end of the fixing portion 54L. The plate flange 52L is a plate-shaped portion extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the front end in the vehicle of the upper portion of the main body portion 53L. The insertion portion 57L is a portion bent outward in the vehicle width direction from the fixing portion 54L. A bolt hole 56L is provided in the fixing portion 54L. Further, a bolt hole 55L is provided in the plate flange 52L.

[0049] The right mounting bracket 51R is symmetric to the left mounting bracket 51L with respect to left and right, and includes a fixing portion 54R, a main body portion 53R, a plate flange 52R, and an insertion portion 57R. Bolt holes 56R and 55R are respectively provided in the fixing portion 54R and the plate flange 52R.

[0050] The left mounting bracket 51L inserts the tip of the insertion portion 57L into the hole 18L provided in the side rail 11L, passes the bolt 72L through the bolt hole 56L of the fixing portion 54L, and screws it into the screw hole 17L provided in the side rail 11L, thereby being fixed to the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the side rail 11L as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the fixing portion 54R of the right mounting bracket 51R is fixed to the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the right side rail 11R with the bolt 72R.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the left end portion 58L of the first cross bracket 50 passes the bolt 71L through the bolt hole 50E and the bolt hole 55L of the plate flange 52L, and screws the bolt 71L into the nut 73L set on the opposite side of the plate flange 52L to be attached to the left mounting bracket 51L.

[0052] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the right end portion 58R of the first cross bracket 50 sandwiches the plate flange 52R of the right mounting bracket 51R in the gap 50S, passes the bolt 71R through the bolt hole 50F and the bolt hole 55R of the plate flange 52R, and screws the bolt 71R into a nut (not shown) set on the opposite side of the plate flange 52R to be attached to the right mounting bracket 51R.

[0053] In the electric vehicle 100 configured as described above, the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 are arranged at positions spaced upward from the upper surface 35A of the battery 35. Therefore, even when the battery 35 expands and deforms due to heat diffusion and the upper surface 35A of the battery 35 curves upward as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 3, it is possible to prevent the upper surface 35A of the battery 35 from interfering with the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43. Also, when the temperature of the battery 35 rises during heat diffusion, it is possible to prevent the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 from being damaged by heat.

[0054] Further, in the electric vehicle 100, the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 are arranged above the central portions 59, 69 of the first and second cross brackets 50, 60. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the upper surface 35A of the battery 35, which has risen in temperature when the battery 35 expands and deforms, from coming into contact with the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43, and it is also possible to prevent the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 from being damaged even when the left and right side rails 11L, 11R deform inward in the vehicle width direction during a side collision. Furthermore, since the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 are arranged so as to extend linearly in the vehicle longitudinal direction at the center in the vehicle width direction and are connected to the electric unit 36 mounted at the center in the vehicle width direction, the paths of the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 can be shortened as compared with the case where they are arranged along the left and right side rails 11L, 11R.

[0055] Moreover, in the electric vehicle 100, since the first and second cross brackets 50, 60 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the vehicle longitudinal direction, it is possible to prevent the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 from sagging downward and approaching the upper surface 35A of the battery 35. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the upper surface 35A from coming into contact with the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 when the battery 35 expands due to heat diffusion. Also, when the temperature of the battery 35 rises during heat diffusion, it is possible to prevent the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 from being damaged by heat.

[0056] Furthermore, in the electric vehicle 100, the central portions 59, 69 of the first and second cross brackets 50, 60 have a groove-shaped cross section with an open rear portion of the vehicle, and the front portion 50CF of the lower plate 50C constitutes a flat portion extending horizontally along the upper surface 35A of the battery 35. Therefore, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3, even when the battery 35 expands and the upper surface 35A contacts the first and second cross brackets 50, 60, the upper surface 35A of the battery 35 contacts the front portion 50CF of the lower plate 50C or the front portion of the lower plate 60C (not shown), so that damage to the battery 35 by the first and second cross brackets 50, 60 can be suppressed.

[0057] In addition, the left and right end portions 58L, 58R, 68L, 68R of the first and second cross brackets 50, 60 have an L-shaped cross section to reduce rigidity, so that it is possible to suppress the influence on the deformation modes of the left and right side rails 11L, 11R during a collision.

[0058] Furthermore, in the electric vehicle 100, the rear portions of the cooling pipe 42 and the rear portions of the power cable 43 are supported by the central portion 59 of the first and second cross brackets 50, 60 so that the heights in the vehicle up-and-down direction are substantially the same as those of the respective front portions. Thereby, the cooling pipe 42 can be arranged substantially horizontally, and it is possible to suppress bubbles from accumulating inside the cooling pipe 42 and obstructing the flow of the cooling water.

[0059] In the electric vehicle 100, when assembling the first cross bracket 50 to the left and right mounting brackets 51L, 51R, as will be described in detail below, with the right end portion 58R temporarily held by the right mounting bracket 51R, the left end portion 58L is assembled to the left mounting bracket 51L, and then the right end portion 58R is attached to the right mounting bracket 51R.

[0060] When assembling the first cross bracket 50 to the left and right mounting brackets 51L and 51R, first, as shown in Fig. 7, insert the plate flange 52R of the right mounting bracket 51R into the gap 50S provided at the right end of the first cross bracket 50, and sandwich the plate flange 52R between the arm portion 50D and the vertical plate 50B. Thereby, temporarily hold the right end portion 58R of the first cross bracket 50 to the right mounting bracket 51L.

[0061] Next, align the position of the bolt hole 50E at the left end portion 58L with the position of the bolt hole 55L of the plate flange 52L, pass the bolt 71L through, and screw the bolt 71L into the nut 73L set on the opposite side of the plate flange 52L to attach the left end portion 58L to the left mounting bracket 51L.

[0062] Next, align the position of the bolt hole 50F at the right end portion 58R with the position of the bolt hole 55R of the plate flange 52R, pass the bolt 71R through, and screw the bolt 71R into a nut (not shown) set on the opposite side of the plate flange 52R to attach the right end portion 58R to the right mounting bracket 51R.

[0063] In this way, with the right end portion 58R temporarily held to the right mounting bracket 51R, assemble the left end portion 58L to the left mounting bracket 51L, and then attach the right end portion 58R to the right mounting bracket 51R. Therefore, one person can assemble the first cross bracket 50 to the left and right mounting brackets 51L and 51R. The same applies when assembling the second cross bracket 60 to the left and right mounting brackets 61L and 61R.

[0064] The electric vehicle 100 described above has been described assuming that the two cross brackets, the first cross bracket 50 and the second cross bracket 60, are arranged within the range where the decks 33 of the left and right side rails 11L and 11R are mounted, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured to support the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 with only one first cross bracket 50.

[0065] Further, three cross brackets may be arranged at predetermined intervals between the left and right side rails 11L and 11R. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 from hanging downward and approaching the upper surface 35A of the battery 35.

[0066] In the electric vehicle 100 described above, the arm portion 50D of the first cross bracket 50 has been described as a plate-like portion extending downward from the right end of the upper plate 50A, but it is not limited thereto. As long as it extends downward from the upper plate 50A and sandwiches the plate flange 52R between the vertical plate 50B, for example, a pin fixed to the lower surface of the upper plate 50A may be used.

[0067] In the above description, the central portions 59 and 69 of the first and second cross brackets 50 and 60 have been described as having a groove-shaped cross section with the rear of the vehicle open, but a groove-shaped cross section with the front of the vehicle open may also be used.

[0068] Next, an electric vehicle 200 according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The same parts as those of the electric vehicle 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 8, the electric vehicle 200 includes a rear auxiliary unit 37 at the rear of the vehicle. The rear auxiliary unit 37 includes a rear radiator 37A that releases the heat of the cooling water that cools the electric unit 36 to the outside. The rear radiator 37A and the electric unit 36 are connected by a cooling pipe 47 composed of a cooling water supply pipe 47A and a cooling water return pipe 47B. The cooling pipe 47 is supported by the fourth and fifth cross members 15 and 16.

[0070] In the electric vehicle 200, the power distribution unit 34B included in the auxiliary unit 34 disposed in front of the battery 35 and the electric unit 36 disposed behind the battery 35 are connected by a power cable 43. The power cable 43 is disposed above the central portions 59 and 69 of the first and second cross brackets 50 and 60.

[0071] In the electric vehicle 200, a power cable 43 constitutes a connecting member 40 that connects the auxiliary unit 34 and the electric unit 36.

[0072] Similar to the electric vehicle 100, the electric vehicle 200 can suppress the upper surface 35A of the battery 35 from interfering with the power cable 43 and suppress the power cable 43 from being damaged by heat even when the upper surface 35A of the battery 35 is curved upward.

[0073] Next, the electric vehicle 300 of another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The same parts as those of the electric vehicle 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 9, the electric vehicle 300 includes a rear auxiliary unit 38 including a rear power distribution unit 38B that supplies power to the electric unit 36. The rear power distribution unit 38B and the electric unit 36 are connected by a power cable 48.

[0075] In the electric vehicle 300, a radiator 34A included in the auxiliary unit 34 disposed in front of the battery 35 and the electric unit 36 disposed behind the battery 35 are connected by a cooling pipeline 42. The cooling pipeline 42 is disposed above the central portions 59 and 69 of the first and second cross brackets 50 and 60.

[0076] In the electric vehicle 300, the cooling pipeline 42 constitutes a connecting member 40 that connects the auxiliary unit 34 and the electric unit 36.

[0077] Next, the electric vehicle 400 of another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The same parts as those of the electric vehicle 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 10, in the electric vehicle 400, the first cross bracket 50 is supported by suspension brackets 81L and 81R attached to the lower surface of the floor panel 33A of the deck 33. Similarly, the second cross bracket 60 is also supported by other suspension brackets (not shown) attached to the lower surface of the floor panel 33A of the deck 33.

[0079] The operation / effect of the electric vehicle 400 is the same as that of the electric vehicle 100 described above.

[0080] Next, the electric vehicle 500 of another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The same parts as those of the electric vehicle 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 11, the electric vehicle 500 is an electric SUV having a cab 39 that houses a front seat and a rear seat instead of the cab 32 and the deck 33 of the electric vehicle 100. In the electric vehicle 500, the rear cab mount bracket 23R and the rear cab mount 28R are arranged immediately in front of the third cross member 14 and support the rear part of the cab 39. Further, the suspension members 32B and 32C are supported by the floor panel 39A of the cab 39.

[0082] In the electric vehicle 500, similar to the electric vehicle 100, the radiator 34A and the electric unit 36 are connected by a cooling pipe 42, and the power distribution unit 34B and the electric unit 36 are connected by a power cable 43. The cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 are arranged above the central portions 59 and 69 of the first and second cross brackets 50 and 60. Similar to the electric vehicle 100, the electric vehicle 500 can suppress the upper surface 35A of the battery 35 from interfering with the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 even when the upper surface 35A of the battery 35 is curved upward, and can suppress the cooling pipe 42 and the power cable 43 from being damaged by heat.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0083] 10 Frame, 11L, 11R Side Rails, 12 First Cross Member, 13 Second Cross Member, 14 Third Cross Member, 15 Fourth Cross Member, 16 Fifth Cross Member, 17L Screw Hole, 18L Hole, 21L, 21R Front Suspension Brackets, 22L, 22R Front Cab Mounting Brackets, 23L, 23R Rear Cab Mounting Brackets, 24L, 24R First Deck Mount, 25L, 25R Second Deck Mount, 26L, 26R Third Deck Mount, 27L, 27R Front Cab Mount, 28L, 28R Rear Cab Mount, 31 Front Compartment, 32, 39 Cab, 32A, 33A, 39A Floor Panel, 32B, 32C Hanging Members, 33 Deck, 34 Auxiliary Unit, 34A Radiator, 34B Power Distribution Unit, 35 Battery, 35A Upper Surface, 36 Electric Unit, 37, 38 Rear Auxiliary Unit, 37A Rear Radiator, 38B Rear Power Distribution Unit, 40 Connecting Member, 41A, 47A Cooling Water Supply Pipe, 41B, 47B Cooling Water Return Pipe, 42, 47 Cooling Pipe Line, 43, 48 Power Cable, 45 Pedestal, 46 Support Base, 50 First Cross Bracket, 50A Upper Plate, 50B Vertical Plate, 50C Lower Plate, 50CF Front Portion, 50CR Rear Portion, 50D Arm Portion, 50E, 50F Bolt Holes, 50S Gap, 51L, 51R, 61L, 61R Mounting Brackets, 52L, 52R Plate Flanges, 53L, 53R Body Portions, 54L, 54R Fixed Portions, 55L, 55R, 56L, 56R Bolt Holes, 57L, 57R Insertion Portions, 58L, 58R, 68L, 68R Ends, 59, 69 Central Portions, 60 Second Cross Bracket, 65L, 65R Front Wheels, 66L, 66R Rear Wheels, 71L, 71R Bolts, 72L, 72R Bolts, 73L Nut, 81L, 81R Hanging Brackets, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 Electric Vehicles.

Claims

1. Left and right side rails extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, A battery disposed between the left and right side rails, An electric unit disposed behind the battery in the vehicle, An accessory unit disposed in front of the battery in the vehicle, An electric vehicle including a connecting member that connects the accessory unit and the electric unit in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein The connecting member is disposed at a position spaced upward from the battery. The electric vehicle is characterized by this.

2. The electric vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein A cross bracket is provided above the battery and spans between the left and right side rails, The connecting member is disposed above the central portion of the cross bracket in the vehicle width direction. The electric vehicle is characterized by this.

3. The electric vehicle according to Claim 2, wherein A plurality of cross brackets are provided at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The electric vehicle is characterized by this.

4. The electric vehicle according to Claim 2, wherein The cross bracket is provided with a flat portion extending along the upper surface of the battery at the lower end portion. The electric vehicle is characterized by this.

5. The electric vehicle according to Claim 3, wherein The cross bracket is provided with a flat portion extending along the upper surface of the battery at the lower end portion. The electric vehicle is characterized by this.

6. The electric vehicle according to Claim 2, wherein The cross bracket has L-shaped cross sections at the left and right end portions, and a groove-shaped cross section with the front or rear of the vehicle open at the central portion. The electric vehicle is characterized by this.

7. The electric vehicle according to Claim 3, wherein The cross bracket has L-shaped cross sections at the left and right end portions, and a groove-shaped cross section with the front or rear of the vehicle open at the central portion. The electric vehicle is characterized by this.

8. The electric vehicle according to Claim 6, wherein The end portion of the cross bracket has an L-shaped cross section composed of an upper plate and a vertical plate extending downward from the upper plate, Including left and right mounting brackets respectively attached to the left and right side rails, extending upward, and having plate flanges at the upper part where the vertical plates of the left and right end portions are fastened, The cross bracket is provided with an arm portion extending downward from the upper plate at one or both of the left and right end portions, sandwiching the plate flange of the mounting bracket between the vertical plate. The electric vehicle is characterized by this.

9. The electric vehicle according to Claim 7, wherein The end portion of the cross bracket has an L-shaped cross section composed of an upper plate and a vertical plate extending downward from the upper plate. It includes left and right mounting brackets each attached to the left and right side rails and extending upward, and having plate flanges at the upper part to which the vertical plates of the left and right end portions are fastened. The cross bracket is provided, at one or both of the left and right end portions, with arm portions extending downward from the upper plate and sandwiching the plate flange of the mounting bracket between the vertical plates. An electric vehicle characterized by the above.

10. An electric vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the auxiliary unit includes a radiator, and the connecting member is a cooling pipe extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the radiator and the electric unit and refluxing cooling water to the radiator and the electric unit. An electric vehicle characterized by the above.

11. An electric vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the auxiliary unit includes a power distribution unit that distributes power from the battery to the electric unit and other in-vehicle devices, and the connecting member is a power cable that transmits power from the power distribution unit to the electric unit. An electric vehicle characterized by the above.

12. An electric vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the auxiliary unit includes a radiator and a power distribution unit that distributes power from the battery to the electric unit and other in-vehicle devices, and the connecting member is a cooling pipe extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the radiator and the electric unit and refluxing cooling water to the radiator and the electric unit, and a power cable that transmits power from the power distribution unit to the electric unit. An electric vehicle characterized by the above.

13. An electric vehicle according to any one of Claims 2 to 9, including a cab mounted above the left and right side rails in front of the vehicle, and a deck mounted above the left and right side rails behind the cab of the vehicle, wherein the cross bracket is disposed in a range where the deck of the left and right side rails is mounted, and a front portion of the connecting member is supported by a floor panel of the cab, and a rear portion of the connecting member is disposed above a central portion in the vehicle width direction of the cross bracket so that the height in the vehicle vertical direction is substantially the same as that of the front portion. An electric vehicle characterized by the above.

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