Plug-in hybrid vehicle

Abstract

This makes it easier to secure space for installing the battery and high-voltage electrical unit. [Solution] In a pickup truck-type PHEV (10) having a cabin section (11) with a passenger compartment (14), an engine compartment (12) with an engine compartment (17) in which an engine (20) is arranged longitudinally, and a luggage section (13) with a loading platform (18) that opens to the upper side (UP) of the vehicle, a battery (40) is arranged in the cabin section (11) in the upper side (UP) of the vehicle above the propeller shaft (25), exhaust pipe, fuel tank and side members (31), and a high-voltage electrical unit (42) is arranged below the vehicle DW of a rear row seat (16) installed in the passenger compartment (14) and under the floor of the passenger compartment (14).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pickup truck-type plug-in hybrid vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a plug-in hybrid vehicle (hereinafter referred to as PHEV) having a monocoque body structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2008 / 082012 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A PHEV is equipped with a large-capacity battery in addition to two drive sources, an engine and a motor. The PHEV also has a high-voltage electrical unit electrically connected to the battery. Examples of high-voltage electrical units include a motor power control unit and an on-board charging unit. In the case of the PHEV described in Patent Document 1, the battery is installed under the rear seat.

[0005] On the other hand, there is a type of vehicle called a pickup truck, which has a cargo bed that opens upward and is located behind the cabin. Most pickup trucks have a body with a frame structure. Numerous components, such as a transmission, propeller shaft, exhaust pipe, and fuel tank, are located under the floor of the pickup truck. Therefore, when converting a pickup truck into a PHEV, it may be necessary to raise the floor to provide sufficient space under the floor for a battery and a high-voltage electrical unit. However, users demand a cabin and cargo bed that can accommodate large amounts of cargo for pickup truck-type vehicles. Raising the vehicle floor to accommodate a battery and a high-voltage electrical unit under the floor reduces the volume of the cabin and cargo bed, failing to meet user demands. The present invention provides a pickup truck-type PHEV with sufficient space for a battery and a high-voltage electrical unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A plug-in hybrid vehicle that solves the above-mentioned problems is a pickup truck type plug-in hybrid vehicle, and includes a fuel tank, an engine, a battery, a motor, a transmission, a propeller shaft connected to the engine via the motor and the transmission and transmitting rotational power of the engine and the motor to rear wheels, an exhaust pipe that directs exhaust from the engine to the rear of the vehicle, a high-voltage electrical unit electrically connected to the battery, a cabin section provided with a passenger compartment, an engine compartment section located in front of the cabin section, a luggage section located in the cabin section, and a luggage section in the cabin section below the passenger compartment. and a frame having left and right side members extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle through a portion of the cabin section that is lower than the passenger compartment, the propeller shaft and the exhaust pipe extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle through a portion of the cabin section that is lower than the passenger compartment, the battery is arranged in a portion of the cabin section or the luggage section that is higher than the side members, the propeller shaft and the exhaust pipe, the passenger compartment is provided with a front row of seats and a rear row of seats that are located rearward of the front row of seats, and the high-voltage electrical unit is arranged in a portion of the cabin section that is lower than the rear row of seats. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The plug-in hybrid vehicle has the advantage of making it easy to secure a space for mounting the battery and the high-voltage electric unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic side view of the arrangement of components of a plug-in hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing a schematic view of the seat arrangement of the plug-in hybrid vehicle of the embodiment as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a drive train, a frame, an exhaust pipe, a fuel tank, and the like of the plug-in hybrid vehicle of the embodiment as seen from above. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a battery and a high-voltage electric unit of the plug-in hybrid vehicle of the embodiment as viewed from above; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a high-voltage electric unit and its surroundings taken along line 5-5 in FIGS. 1 to 4. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the behavior of a high-voltage electric unit during a side collision. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a high-voltage electric unit and its surroundings in another embodiment of a plug-in hybrid vehicle. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a modified battery arrangement in a plug-in hybrid vehicle. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a modified battery arrangement in a plug-in hybrid vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of a plug-in hybrid vehicle will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In the following description, the "plug-in hybrid vehicle" will be abbreviated as "PHEV." Among the arrows shown in each figure, "FR" indicates the front of the vehicle, "RR" indicates the rear of the vehicle, "UP" indicates the top of the vehicle, "DW" indicates the bottom of the vehicle, "LF" indicates the left side of the vehicle, and "RF" indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the PHEV 10 has three parts: a cabin part 11, an engine room part 12 located in front of the vehicle (FR) of the cabin part 11, and a luggage part 13 located behind the vehicle (RR) of the cabin part 11. A passenger compartment 14 for passengers to board is provided in the cabin part 11. The engine room part 12 has an engine room 17 in which the engine 20 is arranged longitudinally. In the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, an engine 20 with a V-type cylinder arrangement is mounted. The luggage part 13 has a loading platform 18 that opens upward (UP) of the vehicle. In the case of Figs. 1 to 4, the part behind the vehicle (RR) of the dotted line L1 and in front of the vehicle (FR) of the dotted line L2 in the PHEV 10 is the cabin part 11. Also, the part in front of the vehicle (FR) of the dotted line L1 in the PHEV 10 is the engine room part 12. And the part behind the vehicle (RR) of the dotted line L2 in the PHEV 10 is the luggage part 13.

[0011] A charging inlet 44 for connecting the charging plug of an external charging facility is installed in the PHEV 1(0). In the case of Fig. 1, the charging inlet 44 is installed on the side surface of the vehicle body of the luggage part 13.

[0012] Fig. 2 shows the seat arrangement of the PHEV 10. In the passenger compartment 14 of the PHEV 10, a front row seat 15 and a rear row seat 16 located behind the vehicle (RR) of the front row seat 15 are installed. Note that the part P0 shown by hatching in Fig. 2 indicates the part in front of the vehicle (FR) of the rear row seat 16 in the passenger compartment 14. This part P0 is a part where it is assumed that the feet of the passengers, etc. are placed on the floor surface of the passenger compartment 14.

[0013] <Configuration of the drive system of the PHEV> Next, referring to FIG. 3, the configuration of the drive system of the PHEV 10 will be described. The drive system of the PHEV 10 includes an engine 20, a transmission 21, a motor 22, and a transfer 23. Further, the drive system of the PHEV 10 includes propeller shafts 24 and 25 for the front and rear wheels. Both propeller shafts 24 and 25 are connected to the engine 20 via the transfer 23, the motor 22, and the transmission 21, respectively. Also, the front-wheel propeller shaft 24 is connected to the left and right front wheels 27 via a differential 26, and the rear-wheel propeller shaft 25 is connected to the left and right rear wheels 29 via a differential 28.

[0014] <Configuration of the Underfloor Structure of the PHEV> Next, referring to FIG. 3, the configuration of the underfloor structure of the PHEV 10 will be described. The underfloor of the PHEV 10 represents the portion below the vehicle DW with respect to the floor panels of the passenger compartment 14 and the cargo bed 18.

[0015] A frame 30 is provided under the passenger compartment 14 and the cargo bed 18 of the PHEV 10. The frame 30 of the PHEV 10 in the present embodiment is a ladder-type frame having left and right side members 31 and a plurality of cross members 32 connecting the both side members 31. The left and right side members 31 are respectively arranged to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction through the portion below the vehicle DW with respect to the passenger compartment 14 in the cab section 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the rear-wheel propeller shaft 25 extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction through the portion below the vehicle DW with respect to the passenger compartment 14 in the cab section 11.

[0016] Also, an exhaust pipe 33 for guiding the exhaust of the engine 20 to the rear RR of the vehicle is arranged under the PHEV 10. The exhaust pipe 33 extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction through the portion below the vehicle DW with respect to the passenger compartment 14 in the cab section 11. A muffler 34 is installed in the middle of the exhaust pipe 33. The muffler 34 is arranged in the portion below the vehicle DW with respect to the passenger compartment 14 in the cab section 11. Further, a fuel tank 35 for storing the fuel of the engine 20 is installed under the PHEV 10. The rear-wheel propeller shaft 25 is arranged in the portion between the exhaust pipe 33 and the fuel tank 35 in the vehicle width direction.

[0017] <Battery and high-voltage electrical unit placement> Next, the arrangement of the battery 40 and the high-voltage electric unit 42 of the PHEV 10 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows the arrangement of the battery 40 and the high-voltage electric unit 42 in the PHEV 10 as viewed from above the vehicle UP. Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional structure of the PHEV 10 taken along line 5-5 in Figures 1 to 4.

[0018] The PHEV 10 is equipped with a battery 40 that stores electric power. The battery 40 is composed of a plurality of cells, a case that houses the cells, and the like. The battery 40 is disposed in the cabin portion 11 below the rear row seats 16 and above the rear wheel propeller shaft 25, the exhaust pipe 33, the fuel tank 35, and the side members 31. In this embodiment, the battery 40 is installed on the floor of the passenger compartment 14.

[0019] The PHEV 10 also includes a high-voltage electric unit 42 electrically connected to the battery 40. The high-voltage electric unit 42 is composed of an electric circuit for power conversion, a case that houses the electric circuit, and the like. In the present embodiment, the high-voltage electric unit 42 is an on-board charging unit that converts electric power received from the outside through a charging inlet 44 and charges the battery 40. The high-voltage electric unit 42 is disposed in the cabin section 11, below the vehicle DW of the rear row seats 16, and under the floor of the passenger compartment 14. In the case of the PHEV 10 of the present embodiment, the high-voltage electric unit 42 is disposed below the vehicle DW of the battery 40, with a floor panel of the passenger compartment 14 sandwiched between them.

[0020] 5, the high-voltage electric unit 42 is disposed between the left and right side members 31 and above the rear-wheel propeller shaft 25. More specifically, in the vehicle width direction, the high-voltage electric unit 42 is located between the left side member 31 and the rear-wheel propeller shaft 25. In addition, the bottom surface of the high-voltage electric unit 42 is located above the rear-wheel propeller shaft 25.

[0021] <Actions and Effects of the Embodiment> The operation and effects of this embodiment will be described. In addition to the frame 30, the propeller shaft 25, the exhaust pipe 33, the fuel tank 35, and the like are installed under the floor of the PHEV 10. Therefore, it is difficult to secure sufficient space under the floor of the PHEV 10 to install the battery 40 and the high-voltage electric unit 42. In contrast, in the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, the battery 40 is arranged in a portion of the cabin 11 that is higher up in the vehicle than the propeller shaft 25, the exhaust pipe 33, the fuel tank 35, and the side members 31 of the frame 30. More specifically, the battery 40 is arranged below the rear row of seats 16 in the vehicle DW and above the floor of the passenger compartment 14. Meanwhile, the high-voltage electric unit 42 is arranged below the rear row of seats 16 in the cabin 11 in the vehicle DW and below the floor of the passenger compartment 14. In this way, in the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, the installation space for the battery 40 and the high-voltage electric unit 42 is secured by arranging them separately above and below the floor.

[0022] Furthermore, in the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, the high-voltage electric unit 42 is disposed between the left and right side members 31 and above the vehicle relative to the rear-wheel propeller shaft 25. Such an arrangement of the high-voltage electric unit 42 provides the following effects.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows the behavior of the high-voltage electric unit 42 and other components when the PHEV 10 is hit in a side collision from the left side (LF) of the vehicle. When the side member 31 on the left side (LF) of the vehicle moves to the right side (RF) of the vehicle due to the impact of the side collision, the high-voltage electric unit 42 is pushed by this and moves to the right side (RF) of the vehicle. If the bottom surface of the high-voltage electric unit 42 is located below the propeller shaft 25 in the DW direction of the vehicle, the high-voltage electric unit 42 will be pinched between the rigid side member 31 and the propeller shaft 25. In contrast, in the case of the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, the high-voltage electric unit 42 is located above the rear-wheel propeller shaft 25 in the UP direction. This prevents the high-voltage electric unit 42, which moves together with the side member 31 during a side collision, from being pinched between the side member 31 and the propeller shaft 25.

[0024] According to the PHEV 10 of the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be achieved. (1) In the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, the battery 40 and the high-voltage electric unit 42 are separately arranged above and below the floor. Therefore, even in a PHEV 10 in which many structures are installed below the floor, it is easy to ensure the installation space for the battery 40 and the high-voltage electric unit 42.

[0025] (2) The high-voltage electric unit 42 is disposed between the left and right side members 31 and above the rear wheel propeller shaft 25. This reduces the likelihood of the high-voltage electric unit 42 being pinched between the propeller shaft 25 and the side members 31 during a side collision.

[0026] (3) The battery 40 and the high-voltage electric unit 42 are arranged vertically side by side across the floor panel of the passenger compartment 14. This facilitates the routing of cables and the like that electrically connect the battery 40 and the high-voltage electric unit 42.

[0027] (4) The high-voltage electrical unit 42 in the PHEV 10 of this embodiment is an on-board charging unit, and a charging inlet 44 is installed on the side of the luggage compartment 13. The short distance between the charging inlet 44 and the high-voltage electrical unit 42 makes it easy to route cables and the like connecting them.

[0028] (5) It is expected that occupants' feet and the like will be placed on the floor surface of the passenger compartment 14 in the portion P0 of the FR of the vehicle forward of the rear row seats 16. If the battery 40 is installed on the floor of the passenger compartment 14 in this portion P0, there is a possibility that the occupant's comfort will be impaired. In contrast, in the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, the battery 40 is installed in a portion of the vehicle other than the portion P0 of the FR of the vehicle forward of the rear row seats 16. Therefore, the deterioration of the occupant's comfort due to the installation of the battery 40 on the floor is suppressed.

[0029] (Other embodiments) This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0030] <About high-voltage electrical unit 42> 7, the high-voltage electrical unit 42 may be installed with its bottom surface positioned below the vehicle DW below the rear-wheel propeller shaft 25. In this case, too, by ensuring a sufficient distance DX between the propeller shaft 25 and the high-voltage electrical unit 42 in the vehicle width direction, the possibility of the high-voltage electrical unit 42 being pinched between the propeller shaft 25 and the side member 31 in the event of a side collision is reduced.

[0031] The high-voltage electric unit 42 may be a unit other than an on-vehicle charging unit, as long as it is a unit electrically connected to the battery 40 and performs power conversion. An example of the high-voltage electric unit 42 other than an on-vehicle charging unit is a power control unit that controls the power of the motor 22. The high-voltage electric unit 42 may also be a step-down unit that converts high-voltage electric power output by the battery 40 into low-voltage DC power to be supplied to accessories, etc. Furthermore, the high-voltage electric unit 42 may be a unit that combines two or more functions, such as an on-vehicle charging unit, a power control unit, and a step-down unit.

[0032] <About the placement of the battery 40> As shown in FIG. 8, the battery 40 may be disposed in the luggage area 13 above the side members 31, the propeller shaft 25, and the exhaust pipe 33.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 9, the battery 40 may be divided and placed in the DW portion of the cabin portion 11 below the rear row seats 16 and in the luggage portion 13 above the side members 31, the propeller shaft 25, and the exhaust pipe 33.

[0034] The battery 40 may be disposed in any other location above the side members 31, the propeller shaft 25, and the exhaust pipe 33, as long as the location is above the vehicle. <Other> The PHEV 10 may be equipped with an engine 20 having a cylinder arrangement other than a V-type.

[0035] The arrangement of the propeller shaft 25, exhaust pipe 33, muffler 34, fuel tank 35, etc. under the floor of the PHEV 10 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the PHEV 10 may be configured so that the propeller shaft 25 is located between the exhaust pipe 33 and the fuel tank 35 in the vehicle width direction.

[0036] The charging inlet 44 may be installed at a location different from that in the above embodiment. (Additional notes) [Appendix 1] A pickup truck type plug-in hybrid vehicle, comprising: a fuel tank; an engine; a battery; a motor; a transmission; a propeller shaft connected to the engine via the motor and the transmission and transmitting rotational power of the engine and the motor to rear wheels; an exhaust pipe directing exhaust from the engine to the rear of the vehicle; a high-voltage electrical unit electrically connected to the battery; a cabin section provided with a passenger compartment; an engine compartment section located in front of the cabin section; a luggage section located behind the cabin section; and a frame having left and right side members extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle through a portion of the cabin section below the passenger compartment, a plug-in hybrid vehicle having an engine compartment in which the engine is arranged longitudinally, the luggage section having a loading platform that opens to the top of the vehicle, the propeller shaft and the exhaust pipe extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle through a portion of the cabin section that is lower than the passenger compartment, the battery being arranged in a portion of at least one of the cabin section and the luggage section that is higher than the side members, the propeller shaft, and the exhaust pipe, the passenger compartment being provided with a front row of seats and a rear row of seats that are located rearward of the front row of seats, and the high-voltage electrical unit being arranged in the cabin section below the rear row of seats and under the floor of the passenger compartment.

[0037] [Appendix 2] A plug-in hybrid vehicle as described in Appendix 1, wherein the battery is located in a portion of the plug-in hybrid vehicle other than a portion forward of the rear row seats.

[0038] [Appendix 3] A plug-in hybrid vehicle as described in Appendix 1, wherein the battery is located in the cabin area below the rear row seats and above the high-voltage electrical unit.

[0039] [Appendix 4] The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to Appendix 1, wherein the battery is disposed in the luggage area. [Appendix 5] A plug-in hybrid vehicle as described in Appendix 1, wherein the battery is divided and arranged in a portion of the cabin below the rear row seats and in the luggage area.

[0040] [Appendix 6] A plug-in hybrid vehicle as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5, wherein the high-voltage electrical unit is disposed in a portion between the left and right side members and above the propeller shaft.

[0041] [Supplementary Note 7] The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 6, wherein the fuel tank is disposed below the battery. [Supplementary Note 8] The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the high-voltage electric unit is a power control unit that controls the power of the motor.

[0042] [Supplementary Note 9] The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the high-voltage electric unit is an on-board charging unit that charges the battery with electric power supplied from outside the vehicle.

[0043] [Supplementary Note 10] The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 9, wherein the propeller shaft is disposed in a portion between the exhaust pipe and the fuel tank in the vehicle width direction. [Appendix 11] The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to any one of Appendices 1 to 10, wherein the engine has a V-type cylinder arrangement. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 PHEV 11 Cabin section 12 Engine compartment 13 Luggage section 14 Cabin 15 Front row seats 16 rear row seats 17 Engine Room 18 Cargo bed 20 Engine 21 Transmission 22 Motor 23 Transfer 24 Propeller shaft for front wheel 25 Rear wheel propeller shaft 26, 28 differential 27 Front wheel 29 rear wheel 30 frames 31 Side member 32 Cross member 33 Exhaust pipe 34 Muffler 35 Fuel Tank 40 Battery 42 High-voltage electrical unit 44 Charging inlet

Claims

1. A pickup truck-type plug-in hybrid vehicle, the vehicle comprises a fuel tank, an engine, a battery, a motor, a transmission, a propeller shaft connected to the engine via the motor and the transmission and transmitting rotational power of the engine and the motor to rear wheels, an exhaust pipe directing exhaust from the engine to the rear of the vehicle, a high-voltage electrical unit electrically connected to the battery, a cabin section provided with a passenger compartment, an engine compartment section located in front of the cabin section, a luggage section located behind the cabin section, and a frame having left and right side members extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle through a portion of the cabin section below the passenger compartment, the engine compartment has an engine compartment in which the engine is disposed longitudinally, The luggage section has a loading platform that opens upward toward the vehicle, the propeller shaft and the exhaust pipe extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle through a portion of the cabin section that is lower than the vehicle interior, the battery is disposed in a portion of at least one of the cabin section and the luggage section that is higher than the side members, the propeller shaft, and the exhaust pipe; The vehicle compartment is provided with a front row seat and a rear row seat located rearward of the front row seat, The high-voltage electric unit is disposed in the cabin below the rear row seats and under the floor of the passenger compartment. Plug-in hybrid vehicle.

2. 2. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery is disposed in a portion of the plug-in hybrid vehicle other than a portion forward of the rear row seats.

3. 2. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery is disposed in the cabin below the rear row seats and above the high-voltage electrical unit.

4. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the battery is disposed in a portion of the luggage compartment below the loading platform.

5. 2. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery is divided and arranged in a portion of the cabin section below the rear row seats and a portion of the luggage section below the loading platform.

6. 2. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the high-voltage electric unit is disposed between the left and right side members and above the propeller shaft.

7. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the fuel tank is disposed below the battery.

8. 2. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the high-voltage electric unit is a power control unit that controls the power of the motor.

9. 2. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the high-voltage electric unit is an on-board charging unit that charges the battery with electric power supplied from outside the vehicle.

10. 2. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the propeller shaft is disposed in a portion between the exhaust pipe and the fuel tank in the vehicle width direction.

11. 2. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the engine has a V-type cylinder arrangement.

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