Pickup truck

Abstract

This minimizes the reduction in passenger space and cargo space due to the installation of a battery unit. [Solution] In a pickup truck (10) having a cabin section (11) with a passenger compartment (14) in which a front row of seats (15) and a rear row of seats (16) are installed, a hood (12A) located at the front (FR) of the cabin section (11), and a luggage section (13) located at the rear (RR) of the cabin section (11) and having a cargo bed (18) that opens to the upper (UP) side of the vehicle, a battery unit (40) is positioned so that the end of the front (FR) of the vehicle is located in the lower (DW) part of the rear row of seats (16) in the cabin section (11).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to pickup trucks. [Background technology]

[0002] As a type of vehicle, there is a pickup truck, as described in Patent Document 1, which has a loading platform that is open upward at the rear of the vehicle compartment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-044955 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a pickup truck is configured as a PHEV (plug-in hybrid vehicle) or BEV (electric vehicle), it needs to be equipped with a battery unit. If a large-capacity, bulky battery unit is installed to ensure a longer driving range, the passenger space and cargo space in the pickup truck may be reduced accordingly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A pickup truck according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a pickup truck comprising: a cabin section in which a passenger compartment is provided; a hood located at the front of the cabin section; a luggage section having a loading platform that opens to the top of the vehicle and located at the rear of the cabin section; a battery unit formed by connecting together a plurality of battery stacks that can be charged externally; and a motor that receives power from the battery unit and generates rotational power that is transmitted to wheels, wherein the passenger compartment is provided with a front row of seats and a rear row of seats that are located rearward of the front rows of seats, and when the portion of the cabin section that is forward of the rear rows of seats is defined as the front cabin section and the portion of the cabin section that is rearward of the front cabin section is defined as the rear cabin section, the battery unit is positioned so that its front end is located at the rear of the cabin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The pickup truck can suppress a reduction in passenger space and cargo space in the cargo bed due to the installation of a battery unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the arrangement of components of the pickup truck of the first embodiment, as viewed from the side. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a drive train, a frame, an exhaust pipe, a fuel tank, and the like of a pickup truck according to a first embodiment, as viewed from above. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the arrangement of battery units in a pickup truck according to a first embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the arrangement of battery units in a pickup truck according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the side. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the arrangement of battery units in a pickup truck according to a second embodiment, as viewed from above. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the configuration and arrangement of the battery unit. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the configuration and arrangement of the battery unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of a pickup truck will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The pickup truck of this embodiment is configured as a PHEV. Among the arrows shown in the drawings used in the following description, "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 when facing the vehicle's traveling direction (forward), and "RF" indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, a pickup truck 10 has three sections: a cabin section 11, an engine compartment 12 located at the front (FR) of the cabin section 11, and a luggage section 13 located at the rear (RR) of the cabin section 11. The cabin section 11 has a passenger compartment 14 where occupants board. The engine compartment 12 has an engine room 17 in which an engine 20 is arranged longitudinally. The pickup truck 10 of this embodiment is equipped with the engine 20 having a V-type cylinder arrangement. Furthermore, a hood 12A is provided in the engine compartment 12 to cover the upper part (UP) of the engine room 17. The luggage section 13 has a loading platform 18 that opens to the upper part (UP) of the vehicle.

[0010] In the drawing, the portion of pickup truck 10 that is rearward of dotted line L1 (RR) and forward of dotted line L2 (FR) is a cabin section 11. The portion of pickup truck 10 that is forward of dotted line L1 (FR) is an engine compartment section 12. The portion of pickup truck 10 that is rearward of dotted line L2 (RR) is a luggage section 13. Dotted line L1 is a position that separates engine compartment 17 from passenger compartment 14, and may be located at a position equivalent to the position of the instrument panel. Dotted line L2 is located at a position equivalent to the front wall of cargo bed 18, and may be located at a position equivalent to the rear wall of passenger compartment 14.

[0011] The passenger compartment 14 of the pickup truck 10 is equipped with two rows of seats, a front row of seats 15 and a rear row of seats 16 located rearward of the front row of seats 15. In the following description, the portion of the cabin 11 that is forward of the rear row of seats 16 will be referred to as the front cabin portion. The portion of the cabin 11 that is rearward of the front cabin portion will be referred to as the rear cabin portion. In the drawings, the portion of the cabin 11 that is forward of the dotted line L3 will be the front cabin portion. The portion of the cabin 11 that is rearward of the dotted line L3 will be the rear cabin portion. The dotted line L3 may be located at the same position as the front end of the seat cushion of the rear row of seats 16.

[0012] <Drive system configuration> Next, the configuration of the drive system of the pickup truck 10 will be described with reference to Figure 2. The drive system of the pickup truck 10 includes an engine 20, a transmission 21, a motor 22, and a transfer 23. The drive system of the pickup truck 10 also includes propeller shafts 24 and 25 for the front and rear wheels. The propeller shafts 24 and 25 are connected to the engine 20 via the transfer 23, the motor 22, and the transmission 21, respectively. The front-wheel propeller shaft 24 is connected to left and right front wheels 27 via a differential 26. The rear-wheel propeller shaft 25 is connected to left and right rear wheels 29 via a differential 28.

[0013] <Underfloor structure configuration> Next, the configuration of the underfloor structure of the pickup truck 10 will be described with continued reference to Figure 2. The underfloor of the pickup truck 10 refers to the portion of the vehicle DW below the floor panels of the passenger compartment 14 and the bed 18.

[0014] A frame 30 is provided under the floor of the passenger compartment 14 and the bed 18 of the pickup truck 10. The frame 30 of the pickup truck 10 of this embodiment is a ladder-type frame having left and right side members 31 and a plurality of cross members 32 connecting the side members 31. The left and right side members 31 are each arranged to extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle through a portion of the cabin 11 below the passenger compartment 14 on the DW side of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2 , the propeller shaft 25 for the rear wheels extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle through a portion of the cabin 11 below the passenger compartment 14 on the DW side of the vehicle.

[0015] An exhaust pipe 33 that guides exhaust from the engine 20 to the rear RR of the vehicle is also disposed under the floor of the pickup truck 10. The exhaust pipe 33 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, passing through a portion of the cabin 11 that is lower DW than the passenger compartment 14. A muffler 34 is disposed midway along the exhaust pipe 33. The muffler 34 is disposed in a portion of the cabin 11 that is lower DW than the passenger compartment 14. Furthermore, a fuel tank 35 that stores fuel for the engine 20 is disposed under the floor of the pickup truck 10. A propeller shaft 25 for the rear wheels is disposed in a portion between the exhaust pipe 33 and the fuel tank 35 in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] <Battery unit configuration and layout> Next, the arrangement of the battery unit 40 in the pickup truck 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0017] The pickup truck 10 is equipped with a battery unit 40. The battery unit 40 is formed by integrally connecting a plurality of externally chargeable battery stacks 41A to 41D. Each of the battery stacks 41A to 41D is formed by packaging a plurality of cells together. The battery unit 40 of the pickup truck 10 of this embodiment is made up of four battery stacks 41A to 41D. The motor 22 of the pickup truck 10 is configured to receive power from the battery unit 40 and generate rotational power that is transmitted to each wheel.

[0018] The battery stack 41A, which is located furthest forward (FR) of the battery unit 40, is disposed in the cabin section 11 below the rear row seats 16 (DW) and above the side members 31 (UP). Behind the battery stack 41A (RR), two battery stacks 41B and 41C are disposed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Above the battery stack 41C (UP) which is located furthest rearward (RR) of the three battery stacks 41A to 41C, a battery stack 41D is disposed side by side in the height direction of the vehicle. The battery stacks 41A and 41B are entirely located within the cabin section 11. The battery stacks 41C and 41D are disposed such that the portions on the front (FR) side of the vehicle are located within the cabin section 11 and the portions on the rear (RR) side of the vehicle are located within the luggage section 13.

[0019] The battery unit 40 has a first battery stack group made up of three battery stacks 41A to 41C arranged side by side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, with the battery stack 41A located in the vehicle lower DW portion of the rear row seat 16 at the head. The battery stacks 41A to 41C of the first stack group are an example of a "first battery stack." The battery unit 40 also has a second battery stack group made up of a battery stack 41D located rearward (RR) of the rear row seat 16 and above (UP) the first battery stack group. The battery stack 41D of the second battery stack group is an example of a "second battery stack." The second battery stack group is located rearward (RR) of the rear end of the seating surface of the rear row seat 16.

[0020] The battery unit 40 configured in this manner is disposed so that its end at the front (FR) of the vehicle is located at the rear of the cabin. The end at the front (FR) of the battery unit 40 is located below (DW) the rear row of seats 16. The battery unit 40 is also disposed above (UP) the vehicle relative to the side members 31 of the frame 30, the rear-wheel propeller shaft 25, the exhaust pipe 33, and the fuel tank 35.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the battery unit 40 is arranged to be located inside both side members 31 in the vehicle width direction (WB < WF). "WB" in the figure indicates the width of the battery unit 40, that is, the length in the vehicle width direction. Also, "WF" in the figure indicates the distance between the outer side surfaces in the vehicle width direction of both side members 31 in the portion where the battery unit 40 is arranged.

[0022] <Operation and Effect of the First Embodiment> The operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. Under the floor of the pickup truck 10, in addition to the frame 30, a propeller shaft 25, an exhaust pipe 33, a fuel tank 35, etc. are installed. In such a case, there may not be enough space to mount the battery unit 40 under the floor of the pickup truck 10. Therefore, in the pickup truck 10 of this embodiment, the battery unit 40 is arranged in a portion above the vehicle (UP) rather than the side members 31 of the frame 30. However, when the battery unit 40 is arranged on the floor, the living space in the passenger compartment 14 and the loading space on the cargo bed 18 may decrease.

[0023] In contrast, in the pickup truck 10 of this embodiment, the battery unit 40 in which a plurality of battery stacks 41A to 41D are integrally connected is arranged such that its tip is located below the vehicle (DW) of the rear row seat 16 at the rear of the cabin. In this case, inside the passenger compartment 14, the battery unit 40 is located in the portion below the vehicle (DW) of the rear row seat 16 and the portion behind the vehicle (RR). Even if the battery unit 40 exists in these portions, it is unlikely to interfere with the passengers sitting on the front row seat 15 and the rear row seat 16. Therefore, it is difficult for the habitability of the passenger compartment 14 to decrease due to the installation of the battery unit 40. Also, since the portion of the battery unit 40 in front of the vehicle (FR) is located in the cabin part 11, only a part of the battery unit 40 is located in the luggage part 13. Therefore, the decrease in the loading space on the cargo bed 18 due to the mounting of the battery unit 40 is less than when the entire battery unit 40 is arranged in the luggage part 13.

[0024] According to the pickup truck 10 of the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be achieved. (1) The pickup truck 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a battery unit 40 configured by integrally connecting multiple battery stacks 41A to 41D. The battery unit 40 is arranged in the cabin portion 11, in which the passenger compartment 14 is provided, so that its end portion on the front side of the vehicle (FR) is located in the vehicle underside (DW) of the rear row of seats 16. This minimizes the reduction in the passenger space in the passenger compartment 14 and the loading space in the cargo area 18 that would result from installing the battery unit 40. As a result, a large-capacity battery unit 40 can be installed even in a pickup truck 10 that has many structures installed under the floor.

[0025] (2) If the battery unit 40 were configured so that all battery stacks 41A-41D were aligned in a line in the vehicle longitudinal direction or vehicle height direction, it would be difficult to ensure sufficient space in the pickup truck 10 to accommodate such battery units 40. In contrast, the pickup truck 10 of this embodiment is configured so that the battery unit 40 includes a first battery stack group and a second battery stack group, as described below. The first battery stack group is a battery stack group made up of multiple battery stacks 41A-41C aligned in the vehicle longitudinal direction, with the battery stack 41A located in the vehicle lower DW portion of the rear row seat 16 at the head. The second battery stack group is a battery stack group made up of a battery stack 41D positioned above the first battery stack group UP. That is, the battery unit 40 is configured so that some of the battery stacks 41A-41C are aligned in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the remaining battery stack 41D is stacked above the battery stacks 41A-41C above the vehicle UP. Therefore, the battery unit 40 can be arranged in limited areas of the pickup truck 10, including the portion of the cabin 11 below the rear row seats 16 in the vehicle DW and the portion of the vehicle rear RR.

[0026] (3) The battery unit 40 is disposed so as to be located inside both side members 31 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the pickup truck 10 is hit by another object from the side, the other object will come into contact with the side member 31, which has high rigidity, before the battery unit 40. In other words, the possibility of another object coming into contact with the battery unit 40 can be reduced.

[0027] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the pickup truck will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. In this embodiment, components common to the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Figure 4 shows the arrangement of the battery unit 140 of the pickup truck of this embodiment as viewed from the side. Figure 5 shows the arrangement of the battery unit 140 of the pickup truck of this embodiment as viewed from above.

[0028] <Battery unit configuration and layout> The battery unit 140 of the pickup truck of this embodiment is composed of three battery stacks 141A to 141C that are connected together. The battery stack 141A, which is located furthest forward FR of the battery unit 140, is located in the cabin section 11 below the rear row seats 16 and above the side members 31. The three battery stacks 141A to 141C are arranged in a line in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, with the battery stack 141A at the head.

[0029] "WB2" in Fig. 5 indicates the width of the battery stack 141C, which is located at the rearmost position RR in the vehicle in the battery unit 140, and "WB1" indicates the widths of the remaining two battery stacks 141A and 141B. The width here represents the length in the vehicle width direction of the battery stacks 141A to 141C. Also, "WF" indicates the distance between the respective outer side surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the both side members 31 at the portion where the battery unit 40 is disposed, similar to the case of Fig. 3. "WF0" indicates the distance between the respective inner side surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the both side members 31 at the portion where the battery unit 40 is disposed. In the following description, "WF" is described as the outer width of the frame 30. Also, "WF0" is described as the inner width of the frame 30.

[0030] The widths WB1 of the two battery stacks 141A and 141B, which are located at the frontmost position FR in the vehicle in the battery unit 140, are wider than the inner width WF0 of the frame 30 and narrower than the outer width WF (WF0 < WB1 < WF). In contrast, the width WB2 of the battery stack 141C, which is located at the rearmost position RR in the vehicle in the battery unit 140, is narrower than the inner width WF0 of the frame 30 (WB2 < WF0). This is due to the following reasons.

[0031] The battery stack 141C is disposed in the vicinity of the rear wheel 29. As shown in Fig. 4, the side member 31 of the frame 30 is curved so as to bulge upward UP in the vehicle at the portion in the vicinity of the rear wheel 29. Therefore, if the battery stack 141C has the same width as the other battery stacks 141A and 141B, it will interfere with the side member 31. In the pickup truck of the present embodiment, in order to avoid interference with the side member 31, the width WB2 of the battery stack 141C is made narrower than the width WB1 of the other battery stacks 141A and 141B.

[0032] Such a battery unit 140 has two battery stack groups each made up of battery stacks of different widths. The first battery stack group is made up of two battery stacks 141A, 141B arranged in the rear of the cabin, in the vehicle underside DW of the rear row seats 16. The second battery stack group is made up of a battery stack 141C arranged in the luggage area 13. The second battery stack group is made up of a battery stack 141C whose length in the vehicle width direction is shorter than that of the battery stacks 141A, 141B that make up the first battery stack group. The arrangement of the first battery stack group and the second battery stack group, as well as the number and arrangement of the battery stacks that make them up, may be changed as appropriate in accordance with the dimensions and shape of the frame 30, etc.

[0033] The pickup truck of this embodiment configured as described above has the following advantages in addition to the advantages (1) and (3) described above. (4) The battery unit 140 is composed of battery stacks 141A to 141C of different widths. Therefore, the battery unit 140 can be made flat while avoiding interference with the frame 30. As a result, the reduction in loading space of the loading platform 18 due to the installation of the battery unit 140 is suppressed.

[0034] (Other embodiments) 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] <Battery unit configuration and layout> The number and arrangement of battery stacks constituting a battery unit may be changed as desired. For example, the battery unit 240 shown in Fig. 6 is composed of the following first and second battery stack groups. The first battery stack group is composed of five battery stacks 241 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, starting with a battery stack 241 arranged below the rear row seat 16 (DW). The second battery stack group is composed of two battery stacks 242 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle above the vehicle (UP) in the middle of the first battery stack group in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0036] As in the battery unit 340 of FIG. 7, the battery unit may be configured so that all the battery stacks 341 are aligned in the vehicle height direction. The battery unit may be configured so that the entire battery unit is disposed at the rear of the cabin, as in the battery unit 340 in FIG.

[0037] As in the battery unit 340 in FIG. 7, the battery unit may be configured so that the front end of the battery unit is located in the rear part of the cabin, behind the rear row seats 16.

[0038] A part or the whole of the battery unit may be disposed so as to be located below the vehicle DW from the upper surface of the side member 31 in the vehicle height direction. <Pickup truck configuration> The pickup truck 10 may be configured to mount the engine 20 with a cylinder arrangement other than a V-type.

[0039] The arrangement of each component disposed under the floor of the pickup truck 10 may be changed as desired. The pickup truck 10 may have a structure opposite to the above-described structure, i.e., the fuel tank 35 may be located on the left side LF of the vehicle, and the muffler 34 and other components may be located on the right side RF of the vehicle.

[0040] The pickup truck 10 may be configured as a BEV. In this case, the engine 20, the fuel tank 35, etc. may not be mounted on the pickup truck 10. (Additional notes) [Appendix 1] A pickup truck comprising: a cabin section with a passenger compartment; a hood located at the front of the cabin section; a luggage section having a loading platform that opens upward toward the vehicle and located at the rear of the cabin section; a motor that receives a supply of electric power and generates rotational power that is transmitted to wheels; front seats installed in the passenger compartment; rear seats installed in the passenger compartment and located rearward of the front seats; and a battery unit that supplies electric power to the motor, the battery unit being arranged so that its front end is located at the rear of the cabin when the portion of the cabin section that is forward of the rear seats is defined as the front cabin section and the portion of the cabin section that is rearward of the front seats is defined as the rear cabin section.

[0041] [Appendix 2] A pickup truck according to Appendix 1, wherein the front end of the battery unit is located below the rear row of seats. [Appendix 3] A pickup truck according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, wherein the entire battery unit is disposed at the rear of the cabin.

[0042] [Appendix 4] The pickup truck according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the battery unit is composed of a plurality of battery stacks including a first battery stack and a second battery stack, the first battery stack is arranged so that its front end of the vehicle is located in the cabin section, and the second battery stack is arranged so that its rear end of the vehicle is located in the luggage section, and the second battery stack group has a shorter length in the vehicle width direction than the first battery stack and the second battery stack group.

[0043] [Appendix 5] A pickup truck as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the battery unit is composed of a plurality of battery stacks including a first battery stack and a second battery stack, and the first battery stack is disposed below the second battery stack in the vehicle.

[0044] [Appendix 6] A pickup truck as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5, comprising 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, and the battery unit is located above the side members.

[0045] [Appendix 7] A pickup truck as described in Appendix 6, wherein an engine compartment with a longitudinally mounted engine is provided below the hood, an exhaust pipe that directs exhaust from the engine to the rear of the vehicle, and a propeller shaft that transmits rotational power generated by the engine to the rear wheels extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle through the lower part of the passenger compartment, and the battery unit is located above the propeller shaft and the exhaust pipe. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10. Pickup truck 11 Cabin section 12 Engine compartment 12A Bonnet 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 40,140,240,340 Battery Unit 41A~41D, 141A~141C, 241, 242, 341 Battery stack

Claims

1. A pickup truck, A cabin section with a passenger compartment, a hood located at the front of the cabin; a luggage section having a loading platform that opens upward toward the vehicle and that is located behind the cabin section; a motor that receives a supply of electric power and generates rotational power that is transmitted to the wheels; A front row seat installed in the vehicle compartment; a rear row seat installed in the vehicle compartment and positioned rearward of the front row seat; a battery unit including an externally chargeable battery stack, the battery unit being arranged so that its front end is located at the rear of the cabin when a portion of the cabin portion forward of the vehicle from the rear row seats is defined as a front cabin portion and a portion of the cabin portion rearward of the front cabin portion is defined as a rear cabin portion, and the battery unit supplies power to the motor; A pickup truck equipped with

2. 2. The pickup truck according to claim 1, wherein a front end of the battery unit is located below the rear seat.

3. The pickup truck according to claim 1 , wherein the battery unit is entirely disposed at the rear of the cabin.

4. the battery unit is composed of a plurality of the battery stacks including a first battery stack and a second battery stack, the first battery stack is disposed so that its rear end is located in the cabin portion; the second battery stack has a rear end portion disposed in the luggage area; The second battery stack has a shorter length in the vehicle width direction than the first battery stack. The pickup truck of claim 1 .

5. the battery unit is composed of a plurality of the battery stacks including a first battery stack and a second battery stack, The first battery stack is disposed below the second battery stack in the vehicle. The pickup truck of claim 1 .

6. 2. The pickup truck according to claim 1, further comprising a frame having left and right side members extending in a fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle through a portion of the cabin section that is lower than the passenger compartment, and the battery unit is located higher than the side members.

7. An engine room in which an engine is disposed longitudinally is provided below the hood of the vehicle, an exhaust pipe that guides exhaust gas from the engine to the rear of the vehicle and a propeller shaft that transmits rotational power generated by the engine to rear wheels extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle through a portion below the vehicle interior, The battery unit is located above the vehicle relative to the propeller shaft and the exhaust pipe. The pickup truck according to claim 6.

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