Cooling structure for electrical component

Abstract

To provide a cooling structure for an electrical component that provides an existing under tray which is detachably installed to a recess part with a duct function of flowing cooling air to prevent increase of the number of components and can prevent increase of manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: A cooling structure for an invertor 9 includes: a floor panel 8 constituting a bottom surface of a recess part 5A that recesses downward from a floor surface part 5; a floor board 6 for covering the recess part 5A from above and constituting a floor surface of a cargo chamber 4 of a vehicle 1; and an under tray 10 detachably installed to the recess part 5A and covering the invertor 9 from above. A duct part 11 for sending cooling air to the invertor 9 is formed integrally with the under tray 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling structure for an electrical component. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a cooling structure for a battery pack described in Patent Document 1 is known as a cooling structure for cooling electrical components mounted on a vehicle.

[0003] The battery pack cooling structure described in Patent Document 1 includes an air guide means for guiding cooling air taken in or exhausted from the battery pack in a predetermined direction. The air guide means is configured by floorboards that are installed on the floor panel at a predetermined interval in the height direction and form the floor surface inside the vehicle cabin, and an air guide plate is attached to the underside of the floorboard to guide the cooling air in the predetermined direction.

[0004] Also, a vehicle floor structure capable of supplying cooling air by utilizing a floor spacer member is known (see Patent Document 2).

[0005] The vehicle floor structure described in Patent Document 2 has a duct portion extending along the upper surface side of the vehicle's floor panel member and having an internal passage for passing fluid, and a floor spacer member molded to be integral with the raised portion provided on the periphery of the duct portion and placed on the upper surface side of the floor panel member.

[0006] The duct section has an inlet opening connected to the air conditioning unit, and an outlet opening located approximately diagonally from the inlet opening, which blows conditioned air as a fluid to the feet of passengers seated in the rear seats in the passenger compartment, and it is stated that not only conditioned air but also cooling air may be flowed through the duct section.

[0007] That is, the vehicle floor structure described in Patent Document 2 utilizes floor spacer members to allow cooling air to flow. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-7915 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-20612 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, the battery pack cooling structure described in Patent Document 1 requires the installation of a new air guide plate on the underside of the floorboard to guide the cooling air in a predetermined direction, and the work of fixing the air guide plate to the underside of the floorboard is also required, which increases the number of parts in the cooling structure and may increase the manufacturing cost of the cooling structure.

[0010] Furthermore, the vehicle floor structure described in Patent Document 2 requires the installation of a new dedicated floor spacer member with a duct section, and the work of fixing the floor spacer member to the floor panel member is required, which increases the number of parts in the vehicle floor structure and may increase the manufacturing cost of the vehicle floor structure.

[0011] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a cooling structure for electrical components that can prevent an increase in the number of parts and therefore manufacturing costs by giving an existing under tray that is detachably attached to a recess a duct function through which cooling air flows. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention is a cooling structure for electrical components that has a floor panel that forms the bottom of a recess that is recessed downward from the floor surface, and a floorboard that covers the recess from above and forms the floor surface of the vehicle's passenger compartment, and that cools electrical components attached to the floor panel, and is characterized in that it has an under tray that is detachably attached to the recess and covers the electrical components from above, and a duct portion that flows cooling air toward the electrical components is integrally formed in the under tray. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention described above, by giving the existing under tray, which is removably attached to the recess, a duct function through which cooling air flows, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts in the cooling structure for electrical components and therefore an increase in manufacturing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a cooling structure for electrical components according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the cooling structure for electrical components according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of a floor board and a floor portion at the rear of a vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the cooling structure for electrical components according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the left-right direction of the undertray, floor board, and floor panel. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the cooling structure for electrical components according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing the relationship between the under tray and the inverter. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cooling structure for electrical components according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a vertical cross-sectional view of an undertray, a floor board, and a floor panel cut along the left-right direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cooling structure for electrical components according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of an undertray and an inverter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A cooling structure for electrical components according to one embodiment of the present invention has a floor panel that forms the bottom of a recess that is recessed downward from the floor surface, and a floorboard that covers the recess from above and forms the floor surface of the vehicle's passenger compartment, and is a cooling structure for electrical components that cools electrical components attached to the floor panel, and has an under tray that is detachably attached to the recess and covers the electrical components from above, and a duct portion through which cooling air flows toward the electrical components is integrally formed in the under tray.

[0016] As a result, the cooling structure for electrical components in one embodiment of the present invention provides an existing under tray that is detachably attached to the recess with a duct function for allowing cooling air to flow, thereby preventing an increase in the number of components in the cooling structure for electrical components and therefore an increase in manufacturing costs. [Example]

[0017] A cooling structure for an electrical component according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 are diagrams showing a cooling structure for an electrical component according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] In Figures 1 to 4, the up / down, front / rear, left / right directions are based on the vehicle on which the electrical components are installed, and the front / rear direction of the vehicle is the front-rear direction, the left / right direction of the vehicle (vehicle width direction) is the left / right direction, and the up / down direction of the vehicle (vehicle height direction) is the up / down direction.

[0019] First, the configuration will be described. In FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 is provided with a front seat 2 and a rear seat 3, and a luggage compartment 4 is provided behind the rear seat 3.

[0020] The luggage compartment 4 is formed from the space above the floorboard 6 that forms the floor surface of the luggage compartment 4. The floorboard 6 covers from above a recess 5A that is recessed downward from the floor surface portion 5 (see Figures 2 and 3), and a carpet (not shown) is attached to the upper surface. The luggage compartment 4 in this embodiment forms the passenger compartment, but the passenger compartment is not limited to the luggage compartment 4.

[0021] A back door 7 is provided at the rear of the vehicle 1, and when the back door 7 is opened, luggage can be freely taken in and out of the luggage compartment 4, and luggage is stored in the luggage compartment 4 with the luggage placed on the floor board 6.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the floor surface portion 5, together with the floor board 6, constitutes the floor surface of the luggage compartment 4, and a recess 5A recessed downward from the floor surface portion 5 is provided integrally with the floor panel 8. The floor board 6 is attached to the floor surface portion 5 so as to cover the recess 5A.

[0023] In addition, the floorboard 6 is positioned at a height appropriate for loading and unloading luggage into the luggage compartment 4 in relation to the lower edge of the opening through which the tailgate 7 is opened and closed (the part against which the lower end of the tailgate 7 abuts when the tailgate 7 is closed).

[0024] The bottom surface of the recess 5A is formed by a floor panel 8, which faces the floorboard 6 in the vertical direction. In other words, a space is formed between the floorboard 6 and the floor panel 8, and the underside of the floorboard 6 serves as an item storage space, and electrical components such as an inverter 9 are arranged in this space.

[0025] 3, the recess 5A accommodates an undertray 10. The floor board 6 covers the undertray 10 from above.

[0026] The undertray 10 is made of resin, and is provided with storage sections 10a and 10b for storing on-board tools (wrenches, levers, jacks), a tire repair kit, a stop sign, or the user's luggage.

[0027] The undertray 10 functions as a support member that supports the floorboard 6 from below, and acts as a member that raises the floorboard 6.

[0028] An inverter 9 as an electrical component is attached to the upper surface of the floor panel 8 on the interior side of the vehicle, and the front and rear lower parts of the inverter 9 are fixed to the floor panel 8 by brackets 9A. Note that the electrical component is not limited to the inverter 9, and may be any electrical component that is mounted on the vehicle 1, such as a battery.

[0029] A lower surface 10c of the undertray 10 abuts against the floor panel 8, and the height from the lower surface 10c to the upper surface 10d of the undertray 10 is formed to be approximately the same as the depth of the recess 5A.

[0030] When the floorboard 6 is removed from the floor surface portion 5, the storage portions 10a and 10b are exposed. The undertray 10 is detachably provided in the recessed portion 5A, and when the undertray 10 is removed from the recessed portion 5A, the floor panel 8 and the inverter 9 (electrical components) are exposed.

[0031] The under tray 10 covers the inverter 9 from above. Specifically, the under tray 10 has a recess 10A formed therein, which is recessed upward from a lower surface 10c of the under tray 10.

[0032] The width and depth of recess 10A are formed to be larger than the width and height of inverter 9, and recess 10A is formed to be able to accommodate inverter 9. Inverter 9 is accommodated in recess 10A.

[0033] A duct portion 11 is integrally formed at the bottom of the under tray 10. The duct portion 11 has an intake duct portion 11A and an exhaust duct portion 11B.

[0034] The intake duct portion 11A and the exhaust duct portion 11B are formed on the lower surface of the undertray 10 and are configured as grooves that are open downward.

[0035] The intake duct portion 11A has an intake port 11a formed at the left end (one end in the vehicle width direction) of the undertray 10, and extends from the intake port 11a to the recess 10A.

[0036] 4, the intake port 11a opening on the left end surface of the undertray 10 is formed long in the front-rear direction. The intake duct portion 11A is formed in a shape in which the front and rear walls approach each other as it approaches the inverter 9, so that the passage width narrows from the intake port 11a toward the inverter 9.

[0037] The exhaust duct portion 11B has an exhaust port 11b formed in the right end portion (the other end portion in the vehicle width direction) of the undertray 10, and extends from the exhaust port 11b to the recessed portion 10A. The exhaust duct portion 11B is formed with the same flow path cross-sectional area from the exhaust port 11b that opens in the right end face of the undertray 10 to the inverter 9.

[0038] The under-tray 10 extends in the vehicle width direction so that the longitudinal direction is the vehicle width direction, and the short side direction is the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. In other words, the under-tray 10 is formed so that the length in the vehicle width direction is longer than the length in the front-rear direction.

[0039] The intake duct portion 11A and the exhaust duct portion 11B extend in the longitudinal direction of the under tray 10, and air (cooling air) flows in the vehicle width direction along the intake duct portion 11A and the exhaust duct portion 11B.

[0040] 3, a first space 13A is provided between the left end (one end in the vehicle width direction) of the under tray 10 and the left wall 5a of the recess 5A. The air intake 11a of the under tray 10 opens into the first space 13A.

[0041] A first opening 6a is formed in the floor board 6 (see FIG. 2), and the first opening 6a connects the luggage compartment 4 and the first space 13A. More specifically, the first opening 6a is formed by cutting out the left edge of the floor board 6.

[0042] A second space 13B is provided between the right end (one end in the vehicle width direction) of the under tray 10 and the right side wall 5b of the recess 5A. The exhaust port 11b of the under tray 10 opens into the second space 13B.

[0043] A second opening 6b is formed in the floor board 6 (see FIG. 2), and the second opening 6b connects the luggage compartment 4 and the second space 13B. More specifically, the second opening 6b is formed by cutting out the right edge of the floor board 6. In this embodiment, the left side wall 5a constitutes one side wall, and the right side wall 5b constitutes the other side wall.

[0044] A cooling fan 12 is provided inside the recess 10A. The cooling fan 12 is arranged to be connected to an intake duct portion 11A on the left side of the inverter 9, and draws in cooling air from the intake duct portion 11A and sends it to the inverter 9.

[0045] That is, when cooling fan 12 is driven, relatively cool air (cooling air) in luggage compartment 4 at the rear of vehicle 1 flows from first opening 6a into first space 13A, and is taken in from first space 13A through intake port 11a and air intake duct 11A. Cooling fan 12 then blows the taken-in relatively cool air toward inverter 9. As a result, inverter 9 is cooled by the air flowing through air intake duct 11A.

[0046] The air that has exchanged heat with the inverter 9 is discharged from the exhaust duct 11B through the exhaust port 11b into the second space 13B, and is returned from the second space 13B through the second opening 6b to the luggage compartment 4. Figure 3 shows the flow of cooling air O that cools the inverter 9.

[0047] A cover 14A is attached to the intake port 11a, and the cover 14A prevents foreign matter such as dust from entering the intake duct portion 11A through the intake port 11a.

[0048] A cover 14B is attached to the exhaust port 11b, and the cover 14B prevents foreign matter such as dust from entering the exhaust duct portion 11B through the exhaust port 11b.

[0049] Next, the effect of the cooling structure of the inverter 9 according to this embodiment will be described. The cooling structure for the inverter 9 in this embodiment includes a floor panel 8 that forms the bottom surface of a recess 5A that is recessed downward from the floor surface portion 5, a floor board 6 that covers the recess 5A from above and forms the floor surface of the luggage compartment 4 of the vehicle 1, and an under tray 10 that is detachably attached to the recess 5A and covers the inverter 9 from above, and a duct portion 11 through which cooling air flows toward the inverter 9 is integrally formed in the under tray 10.

[0050] This allows the existing under tray 10, which is removably attached to the recess 5A, to function as a duct through which cooling air flows, thereby preventing an increase in the number of parts in the cooling structure of the inverter 9 and preventing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the cooling structure of the inverter 9.

[0051] In addition, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated duct section for cooling the inverter 9 in the vehicle 1, and a cooling passage for the inverter 9 can be formed by assembling the under tray 10 into the recess 5A, so that the duct section 11 can be easily set in the vehicle 1.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the cooling structure for the inverter 9 of this embodiment, the duct portion 11 has an intake port 11a for taking in air to cool the inverter 9 and an exhaust port 11b for discharging the air that has cooled the inverter 9.

[0053] The undertray 10 has a longitudinal direction extending in the vehicle width direction and a lateral direction extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. In addition, the duct portion 11 extends in the longitudinal direction so that the intake port 11a is located at the left end and the exhaust port 11b is located at the right end.

[0054] This allows the duct portion 11 to be formed long in the left-right direction, thereby increasing the amount of cooling air flowing through the duct portion 11. As a result, the inverter 9 can be cooled more effectively.

[0055] Furthermore, since the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b can be positioned apart in the vehicle width direction, it is possible to prevent high-temperature air discharged from the exhaust port 11b from being taken into the intake port 11a, and the inverter 9 can be cooled more effectively.

[0056] Furthermore, according to the cooling structure of the inverter 9 of this embodiment, covers 14A and 14B for preventing foreign matter from entering the duct portion 11 are attached to the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b.

[0057] This reliably prevents foreign matter from entering the duct portion 11, prevents the duct portion 11 from being blocked by foreign matter, and prevents malfunction of the cooling fan 12.

[0058] Furthermore, according to the cooling structure of the inverter 9 of this embodiment, the duct portion 11 is formed in the lower part of the undertray 10 and is configured as a groove whose lower end is open.

[0059] As a result, when the under tray 10 is housed in the recess 5A, the duct portion 11 can be easily formed from the space surrounded by the groove and the floor panel 8, and the duct portion 11 can be easily manufactured.

[0060] In addition, according to the cooling structure of the inverter 9 of this embodiment, a first space 13A is provided between the left end of the under tray 10 and the left side wall 5a of the recess 5A, and a first opening 6a is formed in the floor board 6, connecting the luggage compartment 4 and the first space 13A.

[0061] In addition, a second space 13B is provided between the right end of the under tray 10 and the right side wall 5b of the recess 5A, and a second opening 6b is formed in the floor board 6 to connect the luggage compartment 4 with the second space 13B.

[0062] This simplifies the configuration of the air flow path for intake and exhaust to and from duct portion 11, and simplifies the intake structure of inverter 9.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cooling structure for an electrical component according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.

[0064] 5, a duct portion 21 is integrally formed with the under tray 10. The duct portion 21 has an intake duct portion 21A and an exhaust duct portion 21B.

[0065] The intake duct portion 21A has an intake port 21a formed at the left end portion of the under tray 10 (one end portion in the vehicle width direction).

[0066] The intake port 21a is provided at the upper left end of the undertray 10, and the intake duct portion 21A extends straight to the right from the intake port 21a, then bends downward and extends straight to the recess 10A.

[0067] The exhaust duct portion 21B is bent upward from the recess 10A and then extends linearly to the exhaust port 21b.

[0068] That is, the intake port 21a and the exhaust port 21b are provided closer to the floor board 6 than the floor panel 8. In other words, the intake port 21a and the exhaust port 21b are provided at an upper position away from the floor panel 8.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the duct portion 11, including the intake port 21a, was formed as a groove with an open lower end, but in the second embodiment, the intake port 21a and the exhaust port 21b are formed as horizontal holes in the side surface of the undertray 10, and the intake duct portion 21A and the exhaust duct portion 21B, including the intake port 21a portion and the exhaust port 21b portion of the second embodiment, have bottom surfaces.

[0070] This prevents water spilled into the luggage compartment 4 from entering the intake duct portion 21A through the intake port 21a or from entering the exhaust duct portion 21B through the exhaust port 21b, thereby protecting the inverter 9 from water. Figure 5 shows the flow of cooling air O1 that cools the inverter 9, and also shows water W that accumulates in the recess 5A.

[0071] A sealing member may be interposed between the lower surface 10c of the under-tray 10 and the floor panel 8. This prevents water from entering between the lower surface 10c of the under-tray 10 and the floor panel 8, and more effectively protects the inverter 9 from water.

[0072] Also, a bracket 9A may be provided between the floor panel 8 and the lower surface 10c of the undertray 10 to space the inverter 9 upward from the floor panel 8. In this way, the inverter 9 can be more effectively protected from water.

[0073] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cooling structure for an electrical component according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.

[0074] 6, a duct portion 31 is integrally formed with the under tray 10. The duct portion 31 has an intake port 31a formed at the rear end of the under tray 10 and an exhaust port 31b formed at the front end of the under tray 10, and extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction from the intake port 31a to the exhaust port 31b.

[0075] The duct portion 31 is formed in the lower part of the under tray 10 and is composed of a groove with an open lower end. The cross-sectional area of the duct portion 31 is formed to be large enough to allow the inverter 9 to pass through inside the duct portion 31.

[0076] That is, the width and height (depth) of duct portion 31 in the vehicle width direction are formed to be larger than the width and height of inverter 9 in the vehicle width direction. Covers 15A and 15B are attached to intake port 31a and exhaust port 31b, respectively, to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering duct portion 31.

[0077] This prevents the under tray 10 from coming into contact with the inverter 9 when the under tray 10 moves due to a collision of the vehicle 1 or the like. Therefore, the inverter 9 can be prevented from being damaged by the under tray 10.

[0078] While an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 vehicle 4 Luggage compartment (car compartment) 5 Floor section 5a Left side wall (one side wall) 5A Recess 5b Right side wall (other side wall) 6 Floorboards 6a First opening 6b Second opening 8 Floor Panels 9 Inverter (electrical components) 10 Undertray 11, 21, 31 Duct section 11a, 21a, 31a intakes 11b, 21b, 31b exhaust port 13A First space 13B Second space 14A, 14B cover

Claims

1. A cooling structure for electrical components includes a floor panel that forms a bottom surface of a recess that is recessed downward from a floor surface portion, and a floor board that covers the recess from above and forms a floor surface of a vehicle compartment, and the cooling structure cools electrical components attached to the floor panel, a bottom tray that is detachably provided in the recess and covers the electrical components from above; A cooling structure for electrical components, wherein a duct portion through which cooling air flows toward the electrical components is integrally formed on the under tray.

2. the duct portion has an intake port for taking in air for cooling the electrical components and an exhaust port for discharging the air that has cooled the electrical components, The under tray has a longitudinal direction extending in the vehicle width direction and a lateral direction extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, 2. The cooling structure for electrical components according to claim 1, wherein the duct portion extends in the longitudinal direction so that the intake port is located at one end in the vehicle width direction and the exhaust port is located at the other end in the vehicle width direction.

3. 3. The cooling structure for electrical components according to claim 2, wherein covers are attached to the intake port and the exhaust port to prevent foreign matter from entering the duct portion.

4. 4. The cooling structure for electrical components according to claim 1, wherein the duct portion is formed in a lower portion of the undertray and is configured as a groove with an open lower end.

5. 4. The cooling structure for electrical components according to claim 2, wherein the intake port and the exhaust port are provided closer to the floor board than the floor panel.

6. a first space is provided between one end of the under tray in the vehicle width direction and one side wall of the recess, a first opening portion that communicates the luggage compartment with the first space portion is formed in the floor board; a second space is provided between the other end of the under tray in the vehicle width direction and the other side wall of the recess, 4. The cooling structure for electrical components according to claim 1, wherein the floor board has a second opening that connects the luggage compartment and the second space.

7. The duct portion is formed in a lower portion of the undertray and is configured as a groove having an open lower end, The duct portion extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, 2. The cooling structure for an electrical component according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the duct portion is formed to be large enough to allow the electrical component to pass through the inside of the duct portion.

Images