Plug-in hybrid vehicle

Abstract

To facilitate securing of mounting space for an in-vehicle charging unit. [Solution] In a pickup truck-type PHEV 10 having a cabin section 11 with a passenger compartment 14, an engine compartment section 12 with an engine compartment 17 in which an engine 20 is arranged longitudinally, and a luggage section 13 with a luggage bed 18 that opens to the upper part UP of the vehicle, an on-board charging unit 42 that converts electricity supplied from outside the vehicle and supplies it to a battery 40 is positioned below the vehicle DW of the rear row seats 16 in the cabin section 11 and above the vehicle UP on the left and right side members 31 of the frame 30.

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 frame-type body. 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 for installing 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 install 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 sufficient space for installing a battery and a high-voltage electrical unit in a pickup truck-type PHEV. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] a power control unit that controls the power of the motor; a cabin section having a passenger compartment in which seats are provided; an engine compartment located in front of the cabin section and having an engine compartment in which the engine is arranged longitudinally; a luggage section located in the rear of the cabin section and having a loading platform that is open above the vehicle; and a frame having left and right side members that extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle through a portion of the passenger compartment in the cabin section below the vehicle and a portion of the loading platform in the luggage section below the vehicle, and the on-board charging unit is located in the cabin section below the seats and above the side members. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The plug-in hybrid vehicle has the advantage of making it easy to secure a space for installing an on-board charging unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of components of a plug-in hybrid vehicle according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the side. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing the layout of the drive system and underfloor structure of a plug-in hybrid vehicle according to a first embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a battery, a power control unit, and an on-board charging unit as viewed from above in a plug-in hybrid vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a battery, a power control unit, and an on-board charging unit in a plug-in hybrid vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a battery, a power control unit, and an on-board charging unit in a modified example of the plug-in hybrid vehicle of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a battery, a power control unit, and an on-board charging unit in another modified example of the plug-in hybrid vehicle of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of components of a plug-in hybrid vehicle according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the side. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the drive train, battery, power control unit, on-board charging unit, etc., as viewed from above in a plug-in hybrid vehicle according to a second embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of a plug-in hybrid vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a PHEV) will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Among the arrows shown in each figure 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, and "RF" indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0010] The PHEV 10 includes a battery 40 that can be charged with electric power supplied from outside the vehicle. The PHEV 10 also includes an engine 20 and a motor 22 as drive sources that generate rotational power transmitted to four wheels: left and right front wheels 27 and left and right rear wheels 29. The engine 20 generates rotational power by burning fuel. The motor 22 generates rotational power using electric power supplied from the battery 40.

[0011] The PHEV 10 of this embodiment is configured as a pickup truck. This pickup truck-type PHEV 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 is provided with a passenger compartment 14 where passengers board. The engine compartment 12 has an engine compartment 17 in which an engine 20 is arranged longitudinally. The PHEV 10 of this embodiment is equipped with the engine 20 having a V-type cylinder arrangement. The luggage section 13 has a loading platform 18 that opens upward (UP) of the vehicle.

[0012] In the drawing, the portion of the PHEV 10 that is rearward (RR) of the vehicle from dotted line L1 and forward (FR) of dotted line L2 is a cabin section 11. Furthermore, the portion of the PHEV 10 that is forward (FR) of dotted line L1 is an engine compartment 12. Furthermore, the portion of the PHEV 10 that is rearward (RR) of dotted line L2 is a luggage section 13. A passenger compartment 14 of the PHEV 10 is provided with a front row seat 15 and a rear row seat 16 that is located rearward (RR) of the front row seat 15 as seats for occupants. Furthermore, front and rear doors 11A, 11B are provided on the left and right sides of the cabin section 11 of the PHEV 10, respectively. In the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, the portions of the side surfaces of the cabin section 11 where the doors 11A, 11B are provided are passenger boarding gates.

[0013] The PHEV 10 is also provided with a charging inlet 44 for connecting a charging plug of an external charging device. The charging inlet 44 is installed on the side of the PHEV 10 at a position RR rearward of the door 11B. In the case of FIG. 1 , the charging inlet 44 is installed on the side surface of the luggage area 13 on the left side LF of the vehicle.

[0014] <Drive system configuration> Next, we will explain the configuration of the drive system of the PHEV 10. The drive system of the PHEV 10 includes an engine 20, a transmission 21, a motor 22, and a transfer 23. The drive system of the PHEV 10 also includes propeller shafts 24 and 25 for the front and rear wheels. The propeller shafts 24 and 25 are each connected to the engine 20 via the transfer 23, the motor 22, and the transmission 21. The front-wheel propeller shaft 24 is connected to left and right front wheels 27 via a differential 26, and the rear-wheel propeller shaft 25 is connected to left and right rear wheels 29 via a differential 28.

[0015] <Underfloor structure configuration> Next, the configuration of the underfloor structure of the PHEV 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The underfloor of the PHEV 10 refers to the portion of the vehicle DW below the floor panels of the passenger compartment 14 and the cargo bed 18.

[0016] A frame 30 is provided under the floor of the passenger compartment 14 and the cargo bed 18 of the PHEV 10. The frame 30 of the PHEV 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 that is lower on the DW side of the vehicle than the passenger compartment 14. 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 that is lower on the DW side of the vehicle than the passenger compartment 14.

[0017] An exhaust pipe 33 that guides exhaust from the engine 20 to the rear of the vehicle RR is also disposed under the floor of the PHEV 10. The exhaust pipe 33 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, passing through a portion of the cabin 11 that is lower on the DW side of the vehicle 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 on the DW side of the vehicle than the passenger compartment 14. Furthermore, a fuel tank 35 that stores fuel for the engine 20 is disposed under the floor of the PHEV 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.

[0018] <Power supply system configuration> Next, the configuration of the power supply system of the PHEV 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The PHEV 10 is equipped with a battery 40 that can be charged outside the vehicle. The battery 40 is composed of a plurality of cells, a case that houses the cells, and the like. The battery 40 is connected to the motor 22 via a power control unit 41. The motor 22 generates rotational power that is transmitted to the front wheels 27 and the rear wheels 29 using power supplied from the battery 40. The power control unit 41 is a unit that controls the power of the motor 22 and includes an inverter, etc. The battery 40 is also connected to a charging inlet 44 via an on-board charging unit 42. The on-board charging unit 42 functions as an on-board charger that charges the battery 40 by converting power supplied from outside the vehicle through the charging inlet 44 and supplying the converted power to the battery 40. The on-board charging unit 42 may also have a power conversion function that reduces the high-voltage power stored in the battery 40 and supplies the converted power to low-voltage electrical equipment of the PHEV 10.

[0019] In the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, the battery 40, the power control unit 41, and the on-board charging unit 42 are disposed in the cabin portion 11 below the rear row of seats 16 and above the vehicle UP of the side members 31. As shown in Fig. 4, the power control unit 41 is installed in the below-vehicle DW portion of the battery 40 in contact with the below-vehicle DW surface of the battery 40. The on-board charging unit 42 is installed in the below-vehicle DW portion of the battery 40 in contact with the above-vehicle UP surface of the battery 40.

[0020] <Actions and Effects of the First Embodiment> The operation and effects of the PHEV 10 of this embodiment will be described. In the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, the propeller shaft 25, the exhaust pipe 33, and the fuel tank 35 are disposed between the left and right side members 31 in the vehicle lower DW portion of the passenger compartment 14. The battery 40, the power control unit 41, and the on-board charging unit 42 are disposed in the cabin portion 11 below the rear row seats 16 and above the side members 31. Therefore, even in a PHEV 10 in which securing installation space is difficult because the frame 30, the propeller shaft 25, the exhaust pipe 33, the fuel tank 35, etc. are installed under the floor, it is possible to secure installation space for the battery 40, the power control unit 41, and the on-board charging unit 42. Note that arranging the battery 40, the power control unit 41, and the on-board charging unit 42 on the floor panels of the passenger compartment 14 or the cargo bed 18 may reduce the passenger space in the passenger compartment 14 and the loading space of the cargo bed 18. If they are arranged in the DW portion under the rear row seat 16, there will be no reduction in the living space or loading space.

[0021] 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 on-board charging unit 42 is disposed in the cabin portion 11 below the rear row of seats 16 and above the vehicle on the side members 31. As a result, the on-board charging unit 42 is disposed not under the floor where the propeller shaft 25, exhaust pipe 33, fuel tank 35, etc. are disposed, but in a location that is unlikely to reduce the living space of the passenger compartment 14 or the loading space of the cargo bed 18. Therefore, the PHEV 10 of this embodiment has the advantage of making it easy to secure installation space for the on-board charging unit 42.

[0022] (2) The battery 40 and the power control unit 41 are also disposed in the cabin portion 11 below the rear row seats 16 and above the vehicle on the side members 31. Therefore, the PHEV 10 of this embodiment has the advantage of easily securing the mounting space for the battery 40 and the power control unit 41 in addition to the on-board charging unit 42.

[0023] (3) In the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, the on-board charging unit 42 is disposed above the battery 40, and the power control unit 41 is disposed below the battery 40. There are cases where space sufficient to mount both the power control unit 41 and the on-board charging unit 42 cannot be secured above the battery 40 or below the vehicle DW. Even in such cases, by distributing the power control unit 41 and the on-board charging unit 42 above the battery 40 and below the vehicle DW, the mounting space can be secured.

[0024] (4) In the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, the on-board charging unit 42 is disposed above the battery 40. This reduces the likelihood of the on-board charging unit 42 interfering with the road surface or colliding with flying stones.

[0025] (5) The wiring for connecting the power control unit 41 to the motor 22 needs to be routed under the floor of the passenger compartment 14. Therefore, if the power control unit 41 is disposed above the battery 40 in the vehicle (UP), the wiring needs to be routed around the side of the battery 40. In contrast, in the PHEV 10 of this embodiment, the power control unit 41 is disposed below the battery 40 in the vehicle (DW). This makes it easier to route the wiring between the motor 22 and the power control unit 41.

[0026] <Modification of the first embodiment> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0027] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the battery 40, power control unit 41, and on-board charging unit 42 may be arranged in different positions below the rear row seat 16 and above the side member 31. In Figure 5, both the power control unit 41 and the on-board charging unit 42 are arranged above the battery 40. In this case, the presence of the battery 40 reduces the risk of the power control unit 41 and the on-board charging unit 42, which are high-voltage electrical devices, interfering with the road surface or being hit by flying stones. In Figure 6, the on-board charging unit 42 is arranged above the battery 40 and above the battery 40, and the power control unit 41 is arranged to the side of the battery 40. In this case, the wiring between the motor 22 and the power control unit 41 is simplified.

[0028] One or both of the battery 40 and the power control unit 41 may be disposed in a location other than the vehicle lower DW of the rear row seat 16 and the vehicle upper UP portion of the side member 31. For example, the power control unit 41 may be disposed integrally with the motor 22, or the battery 40 may be disposed in the luggage area 13.

[0029] 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.

[0030] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of a plug-in hybrid vehicle will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 and 8. In this embodiment, components common to the above-described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Figure 7 shows the layout of the drive system and electrical system of a PHEV 100 of this embodiment as viewed from the side. Figure 8 shows the layout of the drive system and electrical system as viewed from above.

[0031] Like the PHEV 10 of the first embodiment, the PHEV 100 of this embodiment is configured as a pickup truck having three sections: a cabin section 11, an engine compartment 12, and a luggage section 13. A passenger compartment 14 in which a front row of seats 15 and a rear row of seats 16 are installed is provided in the cabin section 11, an engine compartment 17 in which an engine 20 is arranged longitudinally is provided in the engine compartment 12, and a luggage compartment 18 with an open upper side UP of the vehicle is provided in the luggage section 13. Furthermore, a charging inlet 44 is provided on the side of the PHEV 100 in a section RR rearward of the door 11B of the vehicle.

[0032] <Drive system configuration> The following describes the configuration of the drive system of the PHEV 100. The PHEV 100 has independent drive systems for the front wheels 27 and the rear wheels 29.

[0033] The front wheels 27 of the PHEV 100 are connected to the engine 20 via a front drive module 101. The drive module 101 is a module that integrates components of the drive system for the front wheels 27. The drive module 101 incorporates a front-wheel motor 102 that generates rotational power to be transmitted to the front wheels 27. The drive module 101 also incorporates a transmission, a differential, and the like.

[0034] The rear wheels 29 of the PHEV 100 are connected to a rear drive module 103. This drive module 103 is a module that integrates the components of the drive system for the rear wheels 29. The drive module 103 incorporates a rear-wheel motor 104 that generates rotational power to be transmitted to the rear wheels 29. The drive module 103 also incorporates a reducer, a differential, etc.

[0035] <Power supply system configuration> Next, the configuration of the power supply system of the PHEV 100 will be described. Unlike the PHEV 10 of the first embodiment, the PHEV 100 of this embodiment has independent drive systems for the front wheels 27 and the rear wheels 29. This PHEV 100 does not have a propeller shaft that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle through a portion of the cabin 11 in the vehicle lower DW of the passenger compartment 14. In the PHEV 100, a battery 40 is disposed in this portion of the cabin 11 in the vehicle lower DW of the passenger compartment 14. More specifically, the battery 40 is disposed in a portion between the left and right side members 31 in the vehicle lower DW portion of the passenger compartment 14. The fuel tank 35 of the PHEV 100 of this embodiment is disposed in a portion between the left and right side members 31, toward the rear of the battery 40, toward the rear of the vehicle RR.

[0036] The PHEV 100 also has individual power control units 41A, 41B for the two motors 102, 104 for the front and rear wheels, respectively. The front-wheel power control unit 41A is disposed above the vehicle UP of the front-side drive module 101 in which the front-wheel motor 102 is built. The rear-wheel power control unit 41B is disposed above the vehicle UP of the rear-side drive module 103 in which the rear-wheel motor 104 is built. The front-wheel power control unit 41A is installed as an integral part of the front-side drive module 101. The rear-wheel power control unit 41B is installed as an integral part of the rear-side drive module 103.

[0037] The PHEV 100 further includes an on-board charging unit 42. The on-board charging unit 42 is disposed in the cabin portion 11 below the rear row seats 16 and above the vehicle on the side members 31.

[0038] <Effects of the second embodiment> The PHEV 100 of this embodiment described above has the following advantages. (1) In the PHEV 100 of this embodiment, the on-board charging unit 42 is disposed in the cabin portion 11 below the rear row seats 16 and above the vehicle on the side members 31. This makes it easy to secure a space for installing the on-board charging unit 42.

[0039] (2) The on-board charging unit 42 is disposed above the battery 40. This reduces the risk of the on-board charging unit 42 interfering with the road surface or colliding with flying stones. (3) The power control units 41A and 41B are disposed above the vehicle motors 102 and 104, which are the targets of power control. This facilitates wiring between the motors 102 and 104 and the power control units 41A and 41B.

[0040] (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.

[0041] If it is possible to arrange the wiring for connection to the in-vehicle charging unit 42, the charging inlet 44 may be installed in a location different from that in the above embodiment. The engine 20 may have a cylinder arrangement other than a V-type. The engine 20 may also be arranged transversely in the engine compartment 17.

[0042] The passenger compartment of the PHEV10,100 has two rows of seats, one in front and one in back, but the seat layout can be changed. (Additional notes) [Appendix 1] A pickup truck-type plug-in hybrid vehicle comprising: an engine that generates rotational power by burning fuel and that is transmitted to wheels; a battery that can be charged with electricity supplied from outside the vehicle; a motor that generates the rotational power using electricity supplied from the battery; an on-board charging unit that converts the electricity supplied from outside the vehicle and supplies it to the battery; a power control unit that controls the power of the motor; a cabin section having a passenger compartment in which seats for occupants are provided; an engine compartment section located in front of the cabin section and having an engine compartment in which the engine is arranged longitudinally; a luggage section located behind the cabin section and having a cargo bed that is open above the vehicle; and a frame having left and right side members that extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle through a portion of the passenger compartment in the cabin section below the vehicle and a portion of the cargo bed in the luggage section below the vehicle, wherein the on-board charging unit is located in the cabin section below the seats and above the side members.

[0043] [Appendix 2] A plug-in hybrid vehicle as described in Appendix 1, wherein the battery and the power control unit are disposed in the cabin portion below the seat and above the side member.

[0044] [Appendix 3] A plug-in hybrid vehicle as described in Appendix 2, wherein the on-board charging unit and the power control unit are arranged above the battery. [Appendix 4] A plug-in hybrid vehicle as described in Appendix 2, wherein the on-board charging unit is disposed above the battery and the power control unit is disposed below the battery.

[0045] [Appendix 5] A plug-in hybrid vehicle as described in Appendix 2, wherein the on-board charging unit is disposed above the battery and the power control unit is disposed to the side of the battery.

[0046] [Appendix 6] A plug-in hybrid vehicle as set forth in Appendices 1 to 5, in which a propeller shaft connected to the engine via a transmission and the motor, an exhaust pipe directing exhaust from the engine to the rear of the vehicle, and a fuel tank storing the fuel are arranged in a portion of the frame between the left and right side members.

[0047] [Appendix 7] A plug-in hybrid vehicle as described in appendix 1 to appendix 5, wherein the battery is disposed between the left and right side members, and the power control unit is disposed above the motor on the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10,100 PHEV 11 Cabin section Doors 11A and 11B 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 22,102,104 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 41, 41A, 41B Power control unit 42 In-vehicle charging unit 44 Charging inlet 101,103 Drive module

Claims

1. A pickup truck-type plug-in hybrid vehicle, the vehicle comprises an engine that generates rotational power by burning fuel and that is transmitted to wheels; a battery that can be charged with electricity supplied from outside the vehicle; a motor that generates the rotational power using the electricity supplied from the battery; an on-board charging unit that converts the electricity supplied from outside the vehicle and supplies it to the battery; a power control unit that controls the power of the motor; a cabin section having a passenger compartment in which seats for occupants are provided; an engine compartment section that is located in front of the cabin section and has an engine compartment in which the engine is disposed longitudinally; a luggage section that is located behind the cabin section and has a luggage bed that is open above the vehicle; and a frame having left and right side members that extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle through a portion of the passenger compartment in the cabin section below the vehicle and a portion of the luggage bed in the luggage section below the vehicle, The vehicle-mounted charging unit is disposed in the cabin portion below the seat and above the side member. Plug-in hybrid vehicle.

2. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the battery and the power control unit are disposed in the cabin portion below the seat and above the side member.

3. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the on-board charging unit and the power control unit are disposed above the battery.

4. 3. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the on-board charging unit is disposed above the battery, and the power control unit is disposed below the battery.

5. 3. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the on-board charging unit is disposed above the battery, and the power control unit is disposed to the side of the battery.

6. 2. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a propeller shaft connected to the engine via a transmission and the motor, an exhaust pipe directing exhaust from the engine to the rear of the vehicle, and a fuel tank storing the fuel are disposed in a portion of the frame between the left and right side members.

7. 2. The plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery is disposed between the left and right side members, and the power control unit is disposed above the motor.

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