Arrangement structure of electric component of automobile

Abstract

To provide an arrangement structure of an electric component of an automobile by which the electric component can be arranged on the automobile more efficiently.SOLUTION: A first electric component 100, which is used to drive a front wheel 3 of an automobile 2 when the automobile 2 travels, is separate from a second electric component 200 which is mainly used when the automobile 2 stops, and is arranged on a front part 10 in a front-back direction of the automobile 2. Thereby, a space necessary for the first electric component 100 arranged on the front part 10 of the automobile 2 in order to drive the front wheel 3 of the automobile 2 can be reduced. On the other hand, the second electric component 200 mainly used when the automobile 2 stops is separate from the first electric component 100 used to drive the front wheel 3 of the automobile 2 when the automobile 2 travels, and is arranged on a back part 30 on a back side of the front part 10 in the front-back direction of the automobile 2. Thereby, a surplus space of the back part 30 of the automobile 2 can be utilized to arrange the second electric component 200. Therefore, the electric component can be arranged on the automobile more efficiently.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement structure of electrical components in an automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] Various electrical component layout structures have been proposed for automobiles whose wheels are driven by an electric motor. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure including high-voltage components used to drive the rear wheels of the automobile and located at the rear in the longitudinal direction of the automobile, and accessory components used for purposes not essential for the automobile's running and located at the rear end of the automobile behind the high-voltage components in the longitudinal direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6724954 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described arrangement of electrical components in an automobile, it is desirable to arrange the electrical components more efficiently in the automobile.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement structure for electrical components of an automobile that allows electrical components to be arranged more efficiently in the automobile. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is an electrical component arrangement structure for an automobile, which includes a first electrical component that is used to drive the front wheels of the automobile when the automobile is moving and is located at the front in the longitudinal direction of the automobile, and a second electrical component that is used mainly when the automobile is stopped and is located at the rear, behind the front in the longitudinal direction of the automobile.

[0007] According to this configuration, the first electrical component used to drive the front wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving is separated from the second electrical component used mainly when the vehicle is stopped and is arranged at the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This reduces the space required for the first electrical component arranged at the front of the vehicle to drive the front wheels of the vehicle. Meanwhile, the second electrical component used mainly when the vehicle is stopped is separated from the first electrical component used to drive the front wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving and is arranged at the rear, behind the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This allows the excess space at the rear of the vehicle to be used for arranging the second electrical component. Therefore, electrical components can be arranged more efficiently in the vehicle.

[0008] In this case, the front part may be a cabin part of the automobile, and the first electrical component may be disposed under a floor of the cabin part.

[0009] According to this configuration, the front part is the cabin of the vehicle, and the first electrical component, which is separate from the second electrical component that is mainly used when the vehicle is stopped, is located under the floor of the cabin, making it possible to lower the floor of the cabin.

[0010] In this case, the rear portion may be a rear body portion of the automobile, and the second electrical component may be disposed under the floor of the rear body portion.

[0011] According to this configuration, the rear portion is the rear body portion of the automobile, and the second electric component is disposed under the floor of the rear body portion, so that the usable capacity of the rear body portion can be increased.

[0012] In this case, the interior of the cabin portion and the interior of the rear body portion may be in communication with each other.

[0013] With this configuration, the interior of the cabin section, in which the first electrical component is located under the floor, and the interior of the rear body section, in which the second electrical component is located under the floor, are connected to each other, making it easier to pass between the cabin section and the rear body section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the electrical component layout structure of an automobile of the present invention, electrical components can be more efficiently arranged in the automobile. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A is a plan view of an arrangement of electrical components of an automobile according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the arrangement of electronic components of an automobile according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the main high voltage box. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An electrical component layout structure for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), an electrical component layout structure 1 according to this embodiment is applied to an automobile 2. The automobile 2 is configured as an electric automobile equipped with a motor 102 (described later) as a drive source. The automobile 2 is, for example, a commercial vehicle such as a truck or a bus, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, any of a large vehicle, a medium-sized vehicle, a passenger car, a small vehicle, or a light vehicle. The automobile 2 may also be a hybrid vehicle further equipped with an engine as a drive source.

[0017] The automobile 2 has front wheels 3 driven by a motor 102 and rear wheels 4 that are not driven by the motor 102. The automobile 2 has a cabin section 40 having a driver's seat and a passenger seat, and a rear body section 50 having a luggage compartment and the like. The interiors of the cabin section 40 and the rear body section 50 are in communication with each other (walk-through).

[0018] The automobile 2 is equipped with a support member 5. The support member 5 is a frame that supports the body of the automobile 2 and extends in the longitudinal direction as a whole. The support member 5 of the automobile 2 has a front section 10, a middle section 20, and a rear section 30. The front section 10, middle section 20, and rear section 30 are aligned in this order from the front side in the longitudinal direction, and the middle section 20 is located between the front section 10 and the rear section 30 in the longitudinal direction. The front section 10 has a pair of first side rails 11 and a cross member 12. The middle section 20 has a pair of second side rails 21 and cross members 22 and 23. The rear section 30 has a pair of third side rails 31 and a cross member 32.

[0019] The pair of first side rails 11 extend in the front-to-rear direction and face each other in the width direction. The rear ends of each first side rail 11 are connected to a cross member 22 of the intermediate section 20. The rear ends of each first side rail 11 extend straight, sloping downward as they extend rearward. The cross member 12 extends straight in the width direction and is connected to the front ends of each first side rail 11.

[0020] The pair of second side rails 21 extend straight in the front-rear direction and face each other in the width direction. The distance between the pair of second side rails 21 in the width direction is wider than the distance between the pair of first side rails 11 in the width direction. This allows for a large space to be secured for arranging a high-voltage battery 300, which will be described later. The cross member 22 extends straight in the width direction and is connected to the front ends of each of the second side rails 21. The cross member 23 extends straight in the width direction and is connected to the rear ends of each of the second side rails 21. The cross members 22, 23 face each other in the front-rear direction.

[0021] The pair of third side rails 31 extend straight in the front-to-rear direction and face each other in the width direction. The widthwise spacing between the pair of third side rails 31 is approximately equal to the widthwise spacing between the pair of first side rails 11 and narrower than the widthwise spacing between the pair of second side rails 21. The front ends of each of the third side rails 31 are connected to the cross member 23 of the middle section 20. The cross member 32 extends straight in the width direction and is connected to the rear ends of each of the third side rails 31.

[0022] The positional relationship of each part when viewed from the width direction of the automobile 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1(B), the front part 10 is located higher than the middle part 20 in the up-down direction of the automobile 2. That is, the support member 5 is bent at the boundary between the front part 10 and the middle part 20 so that the front part 10 is located higher than the middle part 20. As a result, the support member 5 has a stepped frame structure in which a step is formed between the front part 10 and the middle part 20. When viewed from the width direction, the middle part 20 and the rear part 30 are formed flat. In other words, when viewed from the width direction, the support member 5 extends straight in the middle part 20 and the rear part 30 (throughout the entire middle part 20 and the rear part 30).

[0023] The vertical position of the floor 41 of the front section 10, i.e., the cabin section 40, of the automobile 2 corresponds to the vertical position of the upper surfaces of the pair of first side rails 11. The vertical position of the floor 51 of the middle section 20 and the rear section 30, i.e., the rear body section 50, of the automobile 2 corresponds to the vertical positions of the pair of second side rails 21, the cross members 22 and 23, the pair of third side rails 31, and the cross member 32. The floor 41 of the cabin section 40 is located higher than the floor 51 of the rear body section 50 in the vertical direction of the automobile 2.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B), the front section 10 is a cabin section 40 of the automobile 2. The cabin section 40 is provided with, for example, a driver's seat and a passenger seat. The driver's seat is provided with a seat in which the driver can sit and a steering wheel for steering the automobile 2, etc. The middle section 20 and the rear section 30 are a rear body section 50 of the automobile 2. The rear body section 50 is provided with, for example, a luggage compartment for loading luggage or a space for loading passengers. The rear section 30 is provided with an entrance / exit for loading and unloading luggage or an entrance / exit for passengers to get on and off. As described above, the interior of the cabin section 40 and the interior of the rear body section 50 are in communication with each other.

[0025] The support member 5 also supports an axle connected to the front wheels 3 and an axle connected to the rear wheels 4. The automobile 2 of this embodiment is front-wheel drive, and the front wheels 3 are driving wheels. The axles of the front wheels 3 are supported at the front portion 10, and the axles of the rear wheels 4 are supported at the rear portion 30.

[0026] The electrical component layout structure 1 for an automobile 2 of this embodiment includes a first electrical component 100 that is used to drive the front wheels 3 of the automobile 2 when the automobile 2 is traveling, and is mostly located in a front portion 10 in the longitudinal direction of the automobile 2. The electrical component layout structure 1 for an automobile 2 also includes a second electrical component 200 that is used mainly when the automobile 2 is stopped, and is located in a rear portion 30 behind the front portion 10 in the longitudinal direction of the automobile 2. The electrical component layout structure 1 for an automobile 2 further includes a high-voltage battery 300 that is located in an intermediate portion 20 between the front portion 10 and the rear portion 30 in the longitudinal direction of the automobile 2, and that stores power to be supplied to the motor 102. The high-voltage battery 300 is located between the cross members 22 and 23 in the intermediate portion 20, under the floor 51.

[0027] The first electric component 100 includes a main high-voltage box 101, a motor 102, an inverter 103, and a first cooling component 104. The first electric component 100 is used to drive the front wheels 3 of the automobile 2 when the automobile 2 is running. The main high-voltage box 101, the motor 102, and the inverter 103 of the first electric component 100 are high-voltage components to which a high voltage of, for example, 200 V or more is applied. In other words, the first electric component 100 is a high-voltage component.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1(A), 1(B), and 2, the main high-voltage box (main junction box) 101 is disposed directly above the cross member 22 of the intermediate section 20. The main high-voltage box 101 is a rectangular parallelepiped having four sides in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 2, four sides in the width direction of the vehicle 2, and four sides in the up-down direction of the vehicle 2. In the main high-voltage box 101, the length of the four sides in the width direction of the vehicle 2 (w) > the length of the four sides in the up-down direction of the vehicle 2 (h) > the length of the four sides in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 2 (l). In other words, the plate-shaped main high-voltage box 101 is disposed upright on the cross member 22, which is the boundary between the cabin section 40 and the rear body section 50.

[0029] 2, the main high-voltage box 101 has a recessed central portion that corresponds to the vertical position of the floor 41 of the front section 10. As a result, the interior of the cabin section 40 and the interior of the rear body section 50 communicate with each other via the main high-voltage box 101, which has a step b. The main high-voltage box 101 shown in FIGS. 1(A), 1(B), and 2 includes a relay and the like, and supplies DC current supplied from the high-voltage battery 300 to the motor 102, inverter 103, and first cooling component 104 of the first electric component 100.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), the motor 102, inverter 103, and first cooling component 104 of the first electric component 100 are disposed under the floor 41 of the cabin section 40. The motor 102 is disposed on the front side of the main high-voltage box 101 in the longitudinal direction of the automobile 2. The motor 102 drives the front wheels 3 of the automobile 2 when the automobile 2 is running, using AC current converted by the inverter 103. The inverter 103 is disposed on the front side of the motor 102 in the longitudinal direction of the automobile 2. The inverter 103 converts DC current supplied from the high-voltage battery 300 into AC current and supplies it to the motor 102.

[0031] The first cooling component 104 is disposed in front of the inverter 103 in the longitudinal direction of the automobile 2. The first cooling component 104 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped having four sides in the longitudinal direction of the automobile 2, four sides in the width direction of the automobile 2, and four sides in the vertical direction of the automobile 2. In the first cooling component 104, the length W of the four sides in the width direction of the automobile 2 is greater than the length L of the four sides in the longitudinal direction of the automobile 2 and the length H of the four sides in the vertical direction of the automobile 2. In other words, the plate-shaped first cooling component 104 is disposed in a lying state under the floor 41 of the front section 10, i.e., the cabin section 40.

[0032] The second electric component 200 includes a rear high-voltage box 201, a high-voltage auxiliary component 202, and a second cooling component 203. The second electric component 200 is not directly used to run the automobile 2, but is used, for example, for normal charging, which charges the high-voltage battery 300 over a relatively long period of time when the automobile 2 is stopped. The rear high-voltage box 201 and the high-voltage auxiliary component 202 of the second electric component 200 are high-voltage components to which a high voltage of, for example, 200 V or more is applied. In other words, the second electric component 200 is a high-voltage component. The second electric component 200 is disposed under the floor 51 of the rear body portion 50.

[0033] The rear high-voltage box (rear junction box) 201 is disposed in the rear portion 30 near the cross member 23 of the intermediate portion 20. The rear high-voltage box 201 includes a relay and the like, and supplies DC current supplied from the high-voltage battery 300 to the high-voltage auxiliary component 202 and the second cooling component 203 of the second electric component 200. The rear high-voltage box 201 also supplies DC current supplied from the high-voltage auxiliary component 202 to the high-voltage battery 300.

[0034] The high-voltage auxiliary component 202 is disposed rearward in the longitudinal direction of the automobile 2 relative to the rear high-voltage box 201. The high-voltage auxiliary component 202 includes a charger and a DC / DC converter. The charger of the high-voltage auxiliary component 202 is used for normal charging of the high-voltage battery 300. During normal charging, for example, an external charging cable is connected to the charger, and the high-voltage battery 300 is charged via the charger. The DC / DC converter of the high-voltage auxiliary component 202 converts the voltage from high to low.

[0035] The operation and effect of the electrical component layout structure 1 of this embodiment will be described below. Conventional commercial vehicles such as trucks have an internal combustion engine as their prime mover, and therefore do not have high-voltage components such as a motor (electric motor). In conventional commercial vehicles, the internal combustion engine is the main component that requires cooling, and therefore a radiator for cooling the internal combustion engine is mounted in front of the internal combustion engine. Furthermore, conventional commercial vehicles are mainly rear-wheel drive, and therefore power from the internal combustion engine is transmitted to the rear wheels via a propeller shaft and a differential gear.

[0036] Therefore, in conventional commercial vehicles, cooling components such as the radiator are concentrated in front of the internal combustion engine and are mounted upright due to the limited space available for mounting the engine. Also, in the middle rear section of the cabin, the space inside the side rails of the support member is used for the propeller shaft, and no large components are mounted there.

[0037] On the other hand, electric vehicles require additional equipment compared to vehicles powered by an internal combustion engine. First, it is necessary to secure space for installing high-voltage components. Second, cooling performance must be met within the limited space under the cabin floor. In other words, in commercial vehicles, the space under the cabin and rear body floor is limited in order to improve marketability, so there is insufficient space to install the high-voltage components specific to electric vehicles. Here, items to improve marketability include a low floor, easy access between the cabin and rear body, and ensuring sufficient cargo space. Furthermore, since the space for installing cooling components is limited, just like the high-voltage components, achieving the required cooling performance becomes a challenge.

[0038] Meanwhile, according to this embodiment, the first electric component 100 used to drive the front wheels 3 of the vehicle 2 when the vehicle 2 is moving is separated from the second electric component 200 used mainly when the vehicle 2 is stopped, and is arranged in the front part 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 2. This reduces the space required for the first electric component 100 arranged in the front part 10 of the vehicle 2 to drive the front wheels 3 of the vehicle 2. Meanwhile, the second electric component 200 used mainly when the vehicle 2 is stopped is separated from the first electric component 100 used to drive the front wheels 3 of the vehicle 2 when the vehicle 2 is moving, and is arranged in the rear part 30 behind the front part 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 2. This allows the excess space in the rear part 30 of the vehicle 2 to be used for arranging the second electric component 200. Therefore, the electric components can be arranged in the vehicle more efficiently.

[0039] In addition, in this embodiment, the front portion 10 is the cabin portion 40 of the automobile 2, and the first electric component 100, which is separate from the second electric component 200 that is mainly used when the automobile 2 is stopped, is arranged under the floor 41 of the cabin portion 40, which allows the cabin portion 40 to have a low floor. In this embodiment, the rear portion 30 is the rear body portion 50 of the automobile 2, and the second electric component 200 is arranged under the floor 51 of the rear body portion 50, which allows the usable capacity of the rear body portion 50 to be expanded. In addition, in this embodiment, the interior of the cabin portion 40, where the first electric component 100 is arranged under the floor 41, and the interior of the rear body portion 50, where the second electric component 200 is arranged under the floor 51, are connected to each other, which makes it easier for people to pass between the cabin portion 40 and the rear body portion 50.

[0040] In other words, the second electric component 200 is mounted in the space formerly occupied by the propeller shaft and differential gear, which are no longer needed because the automobile 2 of this embodiment is front-wheel drive. This allows for effective utilization of the space previously occupied by the propeller shaft and differential gear. The main high-voltage box 101 is mounted upright on the cross member 22 at the boundary between the cabin section 40 and the rear body section 50. This allows for effective utilization of the dead space at the boundary between the cabin section 40 and the rear body section 50. The high-voltage box can be divided into a front main high-voltage box 101 and a rear high-voltage box 201 depending on the application. This allows for more efficient arrangement of electric components in the automobile 2.

[0041] Furthermore, the cooling components are also separated and mounted in accordance with the arrangement of the first electric component 100 and the second electric component 200: a first cooling component 104 under the floor 41 of the cabin section 40 and a second cooling component 203 under the floor 51 of the rear body section 50. The first cooling component 104 for driving is mounted lying down to ensure sufficient ground clearance.

[0042] As described above, high-voltage components are separately mounted under the floor 41 of the cabin section 40 and under the floor 51 of the rear body section 50, and by minimizing the amount of high-voltage components mounted under the floor 41 of the cabin section 40, it is possible to improve the following marketability. That is, as shown in FIG. 1B, it is possible to lower the floor height a of the floor 41 of the cabin section 40, allowing passengers to get in and out of the vehicle without using steps, for example. This improves ease of getting in and out. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to reduce the step b between the floor 41 of the cabin section 40 and the floor 51 of the rear body section 50 at the boundary between the cabin section 40 and the rear body section 50, improving ease of passage between the cabin section and the rear body section.

[0043] Furthermore, by dividing the mounting positions of high-voltage components according to their functions, it is possible to shorten the route of high-voltage cables, thereby reducing weight and costs. Furthermore, because the main high-voltage box 101 is mounted upright on the cross member 22 at the boundary between the cabin section 40 and the rear body section 50, it is possible to ensure a cargo space c of at least 100 mm. Furthermore, by mounting the cooling components separately as a first cooling component 104 under the floor 41 of the cabin section 40 and a second cooling component 203 under the floor 51 of the rear body section 50, it is possible to ensure the ground clearance of the underside of the automobile 2 and to lower the floor 41 of the cabin section 40, while achieving the required cooling performance.

[0044] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be embodied in various forms. For example, it is not necessary for the entire first electrical component 100 to be disposed under the floor 41 of the front section 10 and the cabin section 40; as in the above embodiment, it is sufficient for at least a portion of the first electrical component 100 to be disposed under the floor 41 of the front section 10 and the cabin section 40. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the entire second electrical component 200 to be disposed under the floor 51 of the rear section 30 and the rear body section 50; it is also possible for a portion of the second electrical component 200 to be disposed under the floor 51 of the rear section 30 and the rear body section 50. Any electrical component may be omitted or added to the first electrical component 100 and the second electrical component. The arrangement of each electrical component in the first electrical component 100 and the arrangement of each electrical component in the second electrical component 200 may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1...arrangement structure, 2...vehicle, 3...front wheel, 4...rear wheel, 5...support member, 10...front part, 11...first side rail, 12...cross member, 20...middle part, 21...second side rail, 22, 23...cross member, 30...rear part, 31...third side rail, 32...cross member, 40...cabin part, 41...floor, 50...rear body part, 51...floor, 100...first electrical part, 101...main high voltage box (main junction box), 102...motor, 103...inverter, 104...first cooling part, 200...second electrical part, 201...rear high voltage box (rear junction box), 202...high voltage auxiliary part, 203...second cooling part, 300...high voltage battery, a...floor height, b...step, c...luggage space.

Claims

1. a first electrical component that is used to drive front wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle is running and that is disposed at a front portion in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a second electrical component that is mainly used when the vehicle is stopped and is disposed in a rear portion of the vehicle behind the front portion in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; An arrangement structure of electrical components for an automobile comprising:

2. the front portion is a cabin portion of the automobile; 2. The arrangement structure of electrical components for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical component is arranged under a floor of the cabin section.

3. the rear portion is a rear body portion of the automobile, 3. The electrical component arrangement structure for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein the second electrical component is arranged under a floor of the rear body portion.

4. 4. The electrical component layout structure for an automobile according to claim 3, wherein the interior of the cabin portion and the interior of the rear body portion are in communication with each other.

5. the front portion has a pair of first side rails extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and supporting the body of the vehicle; the rear portion includes a pair of second side rails disposed rearward of the pair of first side rails in the front-rear direction and extending in the front-rear direction to support the vehicle body, and a pair of third side rails disposed rearward of the pair of second side rails in the front-rear direction and extending in the front-rear direction to support the vehicle body, 5. The electrical component layout structure for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the pair of second side rails and the pair of third side rails are positioned at the same height in the vertical direction of the automobile.

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