Vehicle engine compartment structure

Abstract

To utilize radiant heat of an electrically heated catalyst device effectively.SOLUTION: A vehicle engine compartment structure includes an engine 50, a dashboard panel 14 that partitions an engine compartment 12 and a passenger compartment from each other, an exhaust pipe 60 that extends from the engine 50 toward the dashboard panel 14, and a heating device 32 in which a flow passage for circulating a heat medium is defined. A part of the exhaust pipe 60 between the engine 50 and the dashboard panel 14 is formed by an electrically heated catalyst device 70 in which a catalyst is supported by a catalyst support that generates heat when energized. The heating device 32 is located between the engine 50 and the dashboard panel 14. A part of an outer surface of the heating device 32 faces an outer surface of the electrically heated catalyst device 70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an engine room structure for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] The exhaust pipe of the engine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with an electrically heated catalytic device and an exhaust heat recovery device along the exhaust pipe. The electrically heated catalytic device includes a catalyst carrier and a catalyst. The catalyst carrier generates heat when electricity is applied. The catalyst is supported on the catalyst carrier. The exhaust heat recovery device recovers exhaust gas flowing out from the electrically heated catalytic device. The exhaust heat recovery device warms the engine's cooling water using the heat from the recovered exhaust gas. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-132870 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In technologies such as Patent Document 1, in which an exhaust pipe is equipped with an electrically heated catalytic device, the electrically heated catalytic device emits radiant heat from its outer periphery. While the technology in Patent Document 1 utilizes the heat of the exhaust gas flowing out of the electrically heated catalytic device, it does not take into consideration the utilization of the radiant heat of the electrically heated catalytic device itself. Therefore, the technology in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in terms of effectively utilizing the radiant heat of the electrically heated catalytic device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The structure of a vehicle's engine room for solving the above problem comprises an engine arranged in the engine room of the vehicle, a dash panel separating the engine room from the passenger compartment, an exhaust pipe extending from the engine toward the dash panel, and a flow path forming member defining a flow path through which a heat transfer medium flows, wherein a portion of the exhaust pipe between the engine and the dash panel is composed of an electrically heated catalytic device in which a catalyst is carried on a catalyst carrier that generates heat when electricity is passed through it, the flow path forming member is located between the engine and the dash panel, and a portion of the outer surface of the flow path forming member faces the outer surface of the electrically heated catalytic device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The above technical concept makes it possible to effectively utilize the radiant heat of the electrically heated catalytic converter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view that schematically shows an example of the arrangement of members in an engine room. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view that schematically shows an example of the arrangement of the components in the engine room. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the cooling water circuit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the oil circuit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an engine room structure for a vehicle will be described using a plug-in hybrid vehicle as an example. In this embodiment, up, down, left, right, front, and rear are defined based on the vehicle. That is, the direction in front of a driver sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle is the forward direction.

[0009] <Overall structure> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 has an engine compartment 12. The engine compartment 12 is located in a front portion of a passenger compartment 200 of the vehicle 10. The engine compartment 12 is a space defined by a dash panel 14, a fender panel, and the like. The dash panel 14 separates the passenger compartment 200 from the engine compartment 12 at the rear end of the engine compartment 12. The fender panels form left and right outer walls at the front of the vehicle 10.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 includes a drive unit 18. The drive unit 18 is disposed in the engine compartment 12. The drive unit 18 includes two motors, a power transmission mechanism, and the like. The two motors are the drive sources of the vehicle 10. The two motors exchange power with a battery (not shown). The battery can be charged by an external power source.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes an engine 50. The engine 50 is disposed adjacent to the drive unit 18 in the engine compartment 12. The engine 50 is the driving source of the vehicle 10. The engine 50 includes an oil pan 51, a cylinder block 52, a cylinder head 53, and a head cover 54. The oil pan 51, the cylinder block 52, the cylinder head 53, and the head cover 54 are stacked in this order from bottom to top. The oil pan 51 stores lubricating oil. The cylinder block 52 defines multiple cylinders. The cylinder head 53 defines intake ports for introducing intake air into each cylinder and exhaust ports for discharging exhaust gas from each cylinder. The engine 50 includes a water jacket 55. The water jacket 55 is a cooling water passage defined within the cylinder block 52 and the cylinder head 53. The cooling water is a heat transfer medium. The engine 50 includes an oil passage 57. The oil passage 57 is a passage for lubricating oil that runs from inside the oil pan 51 to various parts of the engine 50. The lubricating oil is a heat transfer medium. Note that the water jacket 55 and the oil passage 57 are shown schematically in Figure 1.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 4, the oil passage 57 is connected to an object 40 to be lubricated outside the engine 50. One example of the object 40 to be lubricated is a turbocharger that supercharges the intake air introduced into each cylinder of the engine 50. Specifically, the housing of the turbocharger defines a passage. The passage within the turbocharger is connected to the oil passage 57 via other piping or the like.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 10 is equipped with an exhaust pipe 60. The exhaust pipe 60 extends generally from the engine 50 toward the dash panel 14. The exhaust pipe 60 includes an exhaust manifold 62, an electrically heated catalytic converter (hereinafter referred to as EHC) 70, and a downstream pipe 64. The exhaust pipe 60 is configured by joining these multiple components together.

[0014] The exhaust manifold 62 constitutes the most upstream portion of the exhaust pipe 60. The exhaust manifold 62 is attached to the surface of the cylinder head 53 that faces the dash panel 14. The upstream side of the exhaust manifold 62 branches out according to the number of cylinders. The downstream side of the exhaust manifold 62 forms a single pipe. Therefore, the exhaust manifold 62 merges the exhaust from each cylinder.

[0015] The EHC 70 is connected to the end of the exhaust manifold 62 opposite the cylinder head 53. In other words, the EHC 70 constitutes part of the exhaust pipe 60. The EHC 70 includes a case 72, a catalyst carrier 74, and a pair of electrodes 76. The case 72 is cylindrical. The catalyst carrier 74 is located within the case 72. The catalyst carrier 74 is made of a material that generates heat by creating electrical resistance when electricity is applied. For example, silicon carbide can be used as such a material. The catalyst carrier 74 has a cylindrical outer shape. The interior of the catalyst carrier 74 has honeycomb-shaped passages. The catalyst carrier 74 supports a catalyst such as platinum, palladium, or rhodium. The pair of electrodes 76 are connected to the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier 74 and protrude outside the case 72. The pair of electrodes 76 are connected to a power supply device 90 mounted on the vehicle 10 via power lines. When electricity is applied to the pair of electrodes 76, the catalyst carrier 74 generates heat. The catalyst carrier 74 generates heat, which heats and activates the catalyst. The EHC 70, together with the exhaust manifold 62, is located between the engine 50 and the dash panel 14. The EHC 70 extends generally in the front-to-rear direction. The rear end of the EHC 70 is located generally at the same position as the dash panel 14.

[0016] The downstream pipe 64 is connected to the end of the EHC 70 opposite to the end where the exhaust manifold 62 is located. The downstream pipe 64 is located rearward relative to the engine compartment 12. The downstream pipe 64 passes below the dash panel 14 and reaches the underside of the passenger compartment 200.

[0017] 3, the vehicle 10 is equipped with an air conditioner 34. The air conditioner 34 adjusts the temperature of the vehicle interior 200. The air conditioner 34 is equipped with a fan that sends air into the vehicle interior 200, a heater core 34A for heating, and the like.

[0018] <Cooling water circuit> The vehicle 10 is equipped with a coolant circuit. The coolant circuit is a circuit for circulating coolant in the vehicle 10. There are two coolant circuits. As shown in FIG. 3, a first coolant circuit 101 runs from the water jacket 55 of the engine 50 to the heater core 34A and then returns from the heater core 34A to the water jacket 55. In FIG. 3, the route of the first coolant circuit 101 is indicated by solid arrows. The first coolant circuit 101 includes an electric pump 37 that drives the circulation of coolant, for example, on the route returning from the heater core 34A to the water jacket 55. The second coolant circuit 102 runs from the water jacket 55 of the engine 50 to the radiator 21 and then returns from the radiator 21 to the water jacket 55. In FIG. 3, the route of the second coolant circuit 102 is indicated by dotted arrows. A downstream portion of the second coolant circuit 102 merges with a portion of the first coolant circuit 101 that runs from the heater core 34A back to the water jacket 55, and forms a common flow path with the downstream portion of the first coolant circuit 101. Although not shown, the second coolant circuit 102 includes a mechanical pump that drives the circulation of the coolant by operation of the crankshaft of the engine 50. A switching valve 55A that switches the flow path of the coolant is located at the outlet of the water jacket 55.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3 , the vehicle 10 includes a heating device 32 and a connecting pipe 33. The heating device 32 and the connecting pipe 33 form part of the portion of the first coolant circuit 101 that extends from the water jacket 55 to the heater core 34A. That is, an internal flow path through which coolant can flow is defined inside the heating device 32. Furthermore, a flow path through which coolant can flow is defined inside the connecting pipe 33. The internal flow path of the heating device 32 is connected to the heater core 34A via the connecting pipe 33. The heating device 32 incorporates a heater 32A that can heat the internal flow path. The heater 32A is connected to the power supply device 90 via a power line (not shown). The heating device 32 and the connecting pipe 33 are flow path forming members. The heating device 32 and the connecting pipe 33 are made of metal.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1 , the heating device 32 is located between the engine 50 and the dash panel 14 and above the EHC 70. At this position, the heating device 32 is fixed to the dash panel 14 by a bracket 95. As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the heating device 32 is located within the range of the EHC 70 in both the front-rear and left-right directions. That is, the heating device 32 is located directly above the EHC 70. The heating device 32 is positioned offset in the front-rear direction from the connecting pipe 33. The heating device 32 is also positioned offset in the left-right direction from the coolant pipe 24 and the oil pipe 80, which will be described later. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , no other members exist between the lower surface of the heating device 32 and the EHC 70. That is, the lower surface of the heating device 32 faces the outer surface of the EHC 70 without any other members interposed therebetween. Like the heating device 32, a portion of the connection pipe 33 is located between the engine 50 and the dash panel 14 and above the EHC 70. A portion of the connection pipe 33 passes directly above the EHC 70. No other members exist between the EHC 70 and the portion of the connection pipe 33 located directly above the EHC 70. In other words, a portion of the outer surface of the connection pipe 33 faces the outer surface of the EHC 70 without any other members interposed therebetween.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a coolant pipe 24. The coolant pipe 24 constitutes a part of the first coolant circuit 101 that runs from the heater core 34A back to the water jacket 55. That is, a flow path through which coolant can flow is defined inside the coolant pipe 24. The coolant pipe 24 is connected to the inlet of the water jacket 55. The coolant pipe 24 is a flow path forming member. The coolant pipe 24 is made of metal.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the cooling water pipe 24 is located between the engine 50 and the dash panel 14 and above the EHC 70. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, a portion of the cooling water pipe 24 is located within the range of the EHC 70 in both the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. That is, a portion of the cooling water pipe 24 passes directly above the EHC 70. The cooling water pipe 24 is located at a position offset in the left-to-right direction from an oil pipe 80, which will be described later. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, no other members exist between the EHC 70 and the portion of the cooling water pipe 24 located directly above the EHC 70. That is, a portion of the outer surface of the cooling water pipe 24 faces the outer surface of the EHC 70 without any other members intervening therebetween.

[0023] <Oil circuit> As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle 10 includes an oil circuit 105. The oil circuit 105 is, for example, a circulation circuit for lubricating oil related to the engine 50. The oil circuit 105 follows a path that runs from the oil pan 51 through an oil passage 57 of the engine 50 to the object 40 to be lubricated, and then returns from the object 40 to the oil pan 51. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the oil circuit 105 includes an electric pump 58 that drives the circulation of the lubricating oil, in addition to a mechanical pump driven by the crankshaft of the engine 50. Note that FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the electric pump 58.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle 10 is provided with an oil pipe 80 in a portion midway through the oil circuit 105. The oil pipe 80 is composed of a first oil pipe 81 and a second oil pipe 82. Flow paths through which the lubricated parts can flow are defined inside the first oil pipe 81 and the second oil pipe 82. The first oil pipe 81 is connected to the oil passage 57 of the engine 50 and the object 40 to be lubricated. The second oil pipe 82 is connected to the object 40 to be lubricated and the inside of the oil pan 51. In this way, the oil pipe 80 is connected to the inside of the oil pan 51. The oil pipe 80 is a flow path forming member. The oil pipe 80 is made of metal.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the oil piping 80 is located between the engine 50 and the dash panel 14 and above the EHC 70. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, a portion of the oil piping 80 is located within the range of the EHC 70 in both the front-to-rear direction and the left-to-right direction. That is, a portion of the oil piping 80 passes directly above the EHC 70. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, no other members exist between the EHC 70 and the portion of the oil piping 80 located directly above the EHC 70. That is, a portion of the outer surface of the oil piping 80 faces the outer surface of the EHC 70 without any other members intervening therebetween.

[0026] <Control configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a control device 100. The control device 100 controls various components of the vehicle 10. For example, the control device 100 controls two motors in the drive unit 18 and the engine 50. The control device 100 intermittently stops the engine 50 depending on the running state of the vehicle 10. The control device 100 also controls a power supply device 90. The control device 100 controls the supply of electricity to the EHC 70 by the power supply device 90. Prior to starting the engine 50, the control device 100 supplies electricity to the EHC 70 for a predetermined time, such as one minute. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 100 controls a switching valve 55A and an electric pump 37 of a first coolant circuit 101. When energizing the EHC 70, the control device 100 controls the switching valve 55A so that the coolant circulates in the first coolant circuit 101, and also drives the electric pump 37 of the first coolant circuit 101. As shown in FIG. 1 , the control device 100 also controls the electric pump 58 of the oil circuit 105. When energizing the EHC 70, the control device 100 drives the electric pump 58 of the oil circuit 105.

[0027] <Operation of the embodiment> When the control device 100 energizes the EHC 70, the catalyst carrier 74 generates heat. The catalyst is then activated before the engine 50 begins to start. When the catalyst carrier 74 generates heat as a result of energization of the EHC 70, the heat reaches the outside of the case 72 of the EHC 70. In other words, the EHC 70 emits radiant heat around itself. In this embodiment, a portion of the outer surface of each flow path forming member faces the outer surface of the EHC 70 without any other member interposing between them. Therefore, the radiant heat of the EHC 70 reaches each flow path forming member without being blocked by other members.

[0028] <Effects of the embodiment> (1) As described in the operation of the above embodiment, in the configuration of this embodiment, the radiant heat from the EHC 70 reaches each flow path forming member without being blocked by other members. This allows the heat medium inside each flow path forming member to be heated. In this way, in the configuration of this embodiment, the radiant heat from the EHC 70 can be efficiently used to heat the heat medium.

[0029] (2) In this embodiment, each flow path forming member is located above the EHC 70. Air around the EHC 70 that has been heated by radiant heat from the EHC 70 tends to accumulate in an upper portion of the engine compartment 12. Therefore, by arranging each flow path forming member above the EHC 70 as in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent each flow path forming member, once heated, from being cooled by the surrounding cool air.

[0030] (3) In this embodiment, one of the multiple flow path forming members is a heating device 32 incorporating a heater 32A. This heating device 32 can heat the coolant flowing through its internal flow path using both heat from its own heater 32A and radiant heat from the EHC 70. This configuration of the present embodiment can quickly increase the temperature of the coolant in the internal flow path and can bring the coolant to a required temperature while limiting the amount of heating by the heater 32A. These factors contribute to reducing the power consumption of the heating device 32.

[0031] (4) In this embodiment, one of the multiple flow path forming members is the cooling water pipe 24 connected to the water jacket 55 of the engine 50. Therefore, when the EHC 70 is energized before the engine 50 is started, the cooling water in the cooling water pipe 24 can be heated by the radiant heat of the EHC 70. As a result, heated cooling water can be supplied to the water jacket 55 immediately after the engine 50 is started.

[0032] (5) In this embodiment, one of the multiple flow path forming members is the oil pipe 80 connected to the oil pan 51 and the object 40 to be lubricated. Therefore, when the EHC 70 is energized before the engine 50 is started, the lubricating oil in the oil pipe 80 can be heated by the radiant heat of the EHC 70. As a result, immediately after the engine 50 is started, the warmed lubricating oil can be supplied to the engine 50 and the object 40 to be lubricated.

[0033] (6) In this embodiment, the multiple flow path forming members that heat different heat transfer media are arranged in the engine compartment 12 so as to satisfy a placement requirement. The placement requirement is that at least a portion of the outer surface of the flow path forming member faces the outer surface of the EHC 70 without any other member intervening between them. In this configuration of the present embodiment, multiple flow path forming members can be heated with radiant heat from a single EHC 70. Therefore, the radiant heat from the EHC 70 can be used very efficiently. The following can be said about multiple flow path forming members that heat different heat transfer media. For example, even if the same type of heat transfer media flows through two flow path forming members, if the two flow path forming members are not connected in a continuous manner but are installed separately, the two flow path forming members correspond to multiple flow path forming members that heat different heat transfer media. In other words, multiple flow path forming members that heat different heat transfer media can also be said to be multiple flow path forming members of different types.

[0034] <Example of change> The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0035] The portion of the coolant circuit that is constituted by the coolant pipe 24 is not limited to the example in the above embodiment. That is, the coolant pipe 24 may constitute a portion other than the downstream portion of the first coolant circuit 101. Here, both the first coolant circuit 101 and the second coolant circuit 102 are configured to pass through the water jacket 55. Therefore, if the coolant pipe 24 constitutes any portion of the first coolant circuit 101 or the second coolant circuit 102, it can be said that the coolant pipe 24 is connected to the water jacket 55.

[0036] The configuration of the coolant circuit is not limited to the example in the above embodiment. The coolant circuit may be configured to pass through locations where coolant needs to be supplied, such as the water jacket 55 and the air conditioning unit 34.

[0037] The configuration of the oil circuit 105 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. The oil circuit 105 does not need to include the lubrication target 40 along its length. For example, the engine 50 may be configured as a so-called dry sump engine. When the engine 50 is a dry sump engine, the volume of the oil pan 51 located at the bottom of the engine 50 is small, and the vehicle 10 includes an oil tank separate from the engine 50. When adopting such a dry sump engine, the oil circuit 105 may be configured to follow the path along which lubricating oil travels between the engine 50 and the oil tank. A portion of the oil circuit 105 may be configured as an oil pipe 80. Even in this case, the oil pipe 80 is connected to the oil pan 51 of the engine 50. In this way, the oil circuit 105 may be configured to pass through the oil pan 51 along its length. The oil pipe 80 may be connected to the oil pan 51 of the engine 50.

[0038] The material of each flow path forming member is not limited to the example in the above embodiment. The material of the flow path forming member may be any material that can heat the internal heat medium using radiant heat from the EHC70. An appropriate material may be used for each flow path forming member depending on the application of the flow path forming member.

[0039] The arrangement of each flow path forming member is not limited to the example in the above embodiment. For example, with regard to the heating device 32, the heating device 32 may be arranged at a position offset from the EHC 70 in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the vehicle 10. This also applies to other flow path forming members. Furthermore, the portion of each flow path forming member facing the EHC 70 may be arranged below the EHC 70, rather than above it. Each flow path forming member may be arranged side-by-side on the left and right sides of the EHC 70 at the same height as the EHC 70 in the vertical direction. The arrangement of each flow path forming member can be changed as appropriate as long as a portion of the outer surface of each flow path forming member faces the outer surface of the EHC 70. Note that other objects may be present between the flow path forming member and the EHC 70 as long as the object does not completely block the radiant heat of the EHC 70. Furthermore, air heated by the radiant heat of the EHC 70 can detour around the object and reach the flow path forming member, thereby transferring the radiant heat of the EHC 70 to the flow path forming member.

[0040] The on-vehicle components that constitute the flow path forming member are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment. The flow path forming member may have a flow path defined therein through which the heat transfer medium flows. For example, such a flow path forming member may be connected to the drive unit 18.

[0041] The number of flow path forming members arranged in the engine compartment 12 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. Depending on the arrangement, configuration, and type of the vehicle components to which the flow path forming members are connected, one or more of the multiple flow path forming members described in the above embodiment may be eliminated. Furthermore, as described in the above modified example, flow path forming members different from those described in the above embodiment may be arranged in the engine compartment 12. It is sufficient that one or more flow path forming members are arranged in the engine compartment 12.

[0042] It is not essential that there be a plurality of flow passage forming members facing the outer surface of the EHC 70. It is sufficient that there is one or more flow passage forming members in the engine compartment 12. The heat medium is not limited to the example in the above embodiment. The heat medium may be, for example, air. The heat medium may be any fluid that performs the function of heat transfer.

[0043] The overall configuration of the vehicle 10 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. For example, the vehicle 10 may be a hybrid vehicle that does not have a charging function using an external power source. The number of motors serving as drive sources for the vehicle 10 may be changed from that of the above embodiment. The vehicle 10 does not necessarily need to include a motor as a drive source. As shown in FIG. 5 , the vehicle 10 may also include a transmission 98. For example, the transmission 98 may be provided as part of a drive unit 18 that includes a motor. The transmission 98 incorporates a hydraulic circuit 98A that drives gear shifting. The gear shifting of the transmission 98 is driven by the control device 100 depending on the driving state of the vehicle 10. The gear ratio of the transmission 98 changes depending on the gear shifting of the transmission 98. The transmission 98 is disposed in the engine compartment 12 together with the engine 50. The transmission 98 converts the driving force from the engine 50 according to the currently set gear ratio and transmits it to drive wheels 99 of the vehicle 10. When the vehicle 10 is provided with a transmission 98, the vehicle 10 may also include an oil pipe 111 connected to a hydraulic circuit 98A of the transmission 98. A flow path through which hydraulic oil can flow is defined inside the oil pipe 111. That is, the oil pipe 111 constitutes a flow path-forming member. The hydraulic oil is a heat medium. The oil pipe 111 may be made of, for example, metal. Such an oil pipe 111 may be disposed in the engine compartment 12 so as to face the outer surface of the EHC 70. For example, a portion of the outer surface of the oil pipe 111 may face the outer surface of the EHC 70 without any other member interposed therebetween. In such a configuration, the hydraulic oil in the oil pipe 111 can be heated by radiant heat from the EHC 70. Therefore, this configuration is suitable for supplying heated hydraulic oil to the transmission 98.

[0044] In the above modification, the transmission 98 may be of a type in which the driver manually drives the gear shift. The timing of energizing the EHC 70 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. For example, the EHC 70 may be energized while the engine 50 is running, such as immediately after the engine 50 is started. The EHC 70 may be energized as needed.

[0045] <Additional Notes> The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described. [Appendix 1] An engine room structure for a vehicle comprising: an engine arranged in an engine room of a vehicle; a dash panel separating the engine room from the passenger compartment; an exhaust pipe extending from the engine toward the dash panel; and a flow path forming member defining a flow path through which a heat transfer medium flows; wherein a portion of the exhaust pipe between the engine and the dash panel is constituted by an electrically heated catalyst device having a catalyst supported on a catalyst carrier that generates heat when electricity is applied; the flow path forming member is located between the engine and the dash panel; and a portion of the outer surface of the flow path forming member faces the outer surface of the electrically heated catalyst device; and the vehicle engine room structure comprises a plurality of flow path forming members that heat different heat transfer media.

[0046] [Appendix 2] An engine room structure for a vehicle according to [Appendix 1], wherein the plurality of flow path forming members are positioned above the electrically heated catalyst device. [Appendix 3] An engine room structure for a vehicle described in [Appendix 1] or [Appendix 2], wherein one of the plurality of flow path forming members is a heating device that has a flow path defined therein through which cooling water can flow and has a built-in heater that can heat the flow path.

[0047] [Appendix 4] An engine room structure for a vehicle described in any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 3], wherein one of the plurality of flow path forming members is a cooling water pipe connected to a water jacket partitioned within the engine and through which cooling water can flow.

[0048] [Appendix 5] An engine room structure for a vehicle described in any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 4], wherein one of the plurality of flow path forming members is an oil pipe connected to the inside of the engine's oil pan and through which lubricating oil can flow.

[0049] [Appendix 6] An engine room structure for a vehicle described in any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 5], which is provided with a transmission that is arranged in the engine room and converts driving force from the engine and transmits it to the drive wheels of the vehicle, and one of the plurality of flow path forming members is an oil pipe that is connected to the transmission and through which hydraulic oil can flow. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10...Vehicle 12...Engine room 14...Dash panel 24...Cooling water piping 32...Heating device 50...Engine 51...Oil pan 55...Water jacket 60...Exhaust pipe 70...Electrically heated catalytic converter (EHC) 80...Oil piping 98...Transmission 111...Oil piping 200…Vehicle compartment

Claims

1. an engine arranged in an engine compartment of a vehicle; a dash panel separating the engine compartment from a passenger compartment; an exhaust pipe extending from the engine toward the dash panel; and a flow path forming member defining a flow path through which a heat transfer medium flows; a part of the exhaust pipe between the engine and the dash panel is configured as an electrically heated catalyst device in which a catalyst is supported on a catalyst carrier that generates heat when electricity is applied, the flow path forming member is located between the engine and the dash panel, Furthermore, a part of the outer surface of the flow passage forming member faces the outer surface of the electrically heated catalyst device. Engine room structure of a vehicle.

2. The flow path forming member is located above the electrically heated catalyst device. The engine room structure of a vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The flow path forming member is a heating device in which a flow path through which cooling water can flow is defined and which incorporates a heater capable of heating the flow path.

3. The engine room structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The flow path forming member is a cooling water pipe that is connected to a water jacket defined within the engine and through which cooling water can flow.

3. The engine room structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The flow path forming member is an oil pipe that is connected to the inside of the oil pan of the engine and through which lubricating oil can flow.

3. The engine room structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

6. a transmission disposed in the engine compartment for converting driving force from the engine and transmitting the driving force to drive wheels of the vehicle; The flow path forming member is an oil pipe that is connected to the transmission and through which hydraulic oil can flow.

3. The engine room structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The flow path forming member is provided with a plurality of flow path forming members which heat different heat media.

3. The engine room structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

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