Electric vehicles

Abstract

This facilitates visual inspection of the connectors of the electric drive unit. [Solution] The electric vehicle 10 includes a front compartment 11 that houses a motor 13, a wheel well 23L that houses a tire 22L, a partition wall 25 that separates the front compartment 11 and the wheel well 23L, and an apron panel 41. Part of the partition wall 25 is made up of a removable apron panel 41. The portion of the partition wall 25 made up of the apron panel 41 includes an area where a line segment can be drawn between it and a connector for electrically connecting the motor 13 to the outside without passing through other members.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] An electric vehicle includes an electric drive unit that receives power supply and generates driving force for vehicle running. Electric vehicles include battery electric vehicles having only an electric drive unit as a drive source for vehicle running, and hybrid electric vehicles having an electric drive unit and an internal combustion engine as drive sources for vehicle running. Hybrid electric vehicles include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles having an external charging function.

[0003] Such an electric drive unit of an electric vehicle is provided with a connector for electrically connecting to the outside. In the maintenance of an electric vehicle, it may be necessary to inspect the deterioration or damage of the connector. Patent Document 1 describes an electric vehicle in which a connector between a high-voltage cable and an electric drive unit is provided in a portion below the vehicle body of the electric drive unit, and a detachable cover that covers the connector and its periphery is provided.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above electric vehicle, by removing the cover, it is possible to access the connector of the electric drive unit from below the vehicle body. Therefore, it is possible to visually inspect the connector without removing heavy components such as the electric drive unit from the electric vehicle. However, in order to visually inspect the connector, it is necessary to jack up the entire electric vehicle to a height at which an inspection operator can enter below the vehicle body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electric vehicle that solves the above problems comprises an electric drive unit that receives power and generates driving force for vehicle movement, a compartment housing the electric drive unit, a wheel well housing the tires, and a partition wall separating the compartment and the wheel well. The electric drive unit has a connector for electrical connection to the outside, a part of the partition wall is configured to be detachable, and the detachable part of the partition wall is configured to include a region between that part and the connector through which a line segment can be drawn without passing through other members. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The above-mentioned electric vehicles have the advantage of making it easier to visually inspect the connectors of the electric drive unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view of the front of an electric vehicle, as seen from the left side of the vehicle body, representing one embodiment of the electric vehicle. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the front of the electric vehicle, as seen from underneath the vehicle. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a side view of the opening and surrounding area in the bulkhead of the left front wheel well of the electric vehicle. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a side view of the opening and its surroundings with the cover removed. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view along line 5-5 in Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Below, one embodiment of an electric vehicle will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In each figure, the arrows indicate the front of the vehicle, "FR" for the rear of the vehicle, "LF" for the left side of the vehicle, "RF" for the right side of the vehicle, "UP" for the top of the vehicle, and "DW" for the bottom of the vehicle.

[0010] <Regarding the configuration of the electric vehicle 10> First, the configuration of the drive system of the electric vehicle 10 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the front of the electric vehicle 10 as seen from the left side LF of the vehicle body. Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the front of the electric vehicle 10 as seen from the lower side DW of the vehicle body.

[0011] A front compartment 11 is provided in the front FR portion of the electric vehicle 10, beyond the passenger compartment 10A. The passenger compartment 10A and the front compartment 11 are separated by a dash panel 10B. The electric vehicle 10 also has an openable bonnet 11A that covers the upper part UP of the front compartment 11.

[0012] The front compartment 11 houses the engine 12, motor 13, inverter 14, etc. The motor 13 is an example of an electric drive unit that receives power and generates driving force for vehicle movement. Another example of an electric drive unit is a unit that integrates a reduction mechanism, inverter, etc., with the motor.

[0013] The engine 12 is mounted longitudinally inside the front compartment 11. The motor 13 is installed inside the front compartment 11 in the rear RR section of the vehicle body, further back than the engine 12, and is connected to the engine 12. The transmission 15 is connected to the rear RR section of the motor 13.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the inverter 14 is installed in the left LF portion of the vehicle body of the engine 12 in the front compartment 11. Two exhaust pipes 16 are connected to the engine 12, one on the left and one on the right. These exhaust pipes 16 extend from the left and right sides of the motor 13 toward the rear RR of the vehicle body.

[0015] The motor 13 is electrically connected to the inverter 14 via a high-voltage cable 17. A high-voltage connector 18 for connecting the high-voltage cable 17 is provided on the upper part (UP) of the motor 13. In the case of the electric vehicle 10 of this embodiment, the high-voltage connector 18 has a metal cover that covers the terminals. Furthermore, a low-voltage connector 20 for connecting a low-voltage cable 19 is provided on the upper part (UP) of the motor 13. The low-voltage cable 19 is a cable that carries a current at a lower voltage than the high-voltage cable 17. An example of a low-voltage cable 19 is a signal cable for outputting signals from a sensor built into the motor 13.

[0016] Furthermore, the front of the electric vehicle 10 is provided with right front and left front tire housings 23R and 23L, respectively, which house the right front and left front tires 22R and 22L. The tire housings 23R and 23L are separated from the front compartment 11 by a partition wall 25. The partition wall 25 is made up of panel materials, frame materials, and resin cover materials that cover the surfaces of the body of the electric vehicle 10.

[0017] The tires 22R and 22L are respectively suspended from the body of the electric vehicle 10 via independent suspension systems. Both suspensions have cylindrical dampers 26 that extend vertically within the vehicle body and are located inside the tire housings 23R and 23L.

[0018] <Regarding the structure for visual inspection of high-voltage connector 18> The high-voltage connector 18 is installed at the upper part of the vehicle body of the motor 13 where it is difficult for water splash to reach. However, when the electric vehicle 10 is running in flooded conditions or on a wet unpaved road, etc., the high-voltage connector 18 may be submerged in water. And due to the water immersion, the deterioration of the high-voltage connector 18 due to corrosion, etc. may progress. Therefore, it is desirable to visually inspect the high-voltage connector 18 during regular inspections of the electric vehicle 10 to prevent vehicle failures caused by the deterioration of the high-voltage connector 18 in advance.

[0019] On the other hand, in the front compartment 11, in addition to the engine 12, motor 13, and inverter 14 described above, a large number of components are installed. And the motor 13 is installed at the rear part RR of the vehicle body and the lower part DW of the vehicle body in the front compartment 11. Therefore, the high-voltage connector 18 of the motor 13 is located in a position where it cannot be visually inspected because other components get in the way even when looking into the front compartment 11 from the upper part of the vehicle body by opening the bonnet 11A. In contrast, the electric vehicle 10 of this embodiment has a structure for facilitating the visual inspection of the high-voltage connector 18.

[0020] In FIG. 1, a partition wall 25 that separates the left front tire house 23L and the front compartment 11 is shown. This partition wall 25 is provided so as to surround the right side RF of the vehicle body and the radially outer side of the tire 22L. A part of the partition wall 25 is constituted by an apron panel 41. The apron panel 41 is a resin panel material. The apron panel 41 is installed at a part of the partition wall 25 that is located on the side of the tire 22L and behind the vehicle body RR from the damper 26.

[0021] Fig. 3 shows a side view of the apron panel 41 and its surroundings as seen from the left front LF of the vehicle body. The apron panel 41 is fixed to the vehicle body by a plurality of clips 42. Each clip 42 is configured such that the direction from the tire house 23L to the front compartment 11 is the insertion direction. The apron panel 41 installed in this way can be removed from the vehicle body by removing the clip 42. Thus, a part of the partition wall 25 of the left front tire house 23L is configured to be detachable.

[0022] Fig. 4 shows the state where the apron panel 41 is removed. When the apron panel 41 that forms a part of the partition wall 25 is removed, an opening 40 that communicates the front compartment 11 and the tire house 23L appears. The exhaust pipe 16 of the engine 12 is located in the portion between the opening 40 in the front compartment 11 and the high-voltage connector 18 of the motor 13. Insulators 43, 44 for heat insulation are installed around the exhaust pipe 16. The high-voltage connector 18 of the motor 13 can be visually recognized through the portion that becomes the gap between the insulators 43, 44 from the opening 40.

[0023] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4. In the region R on the upper side UP of the vehicle body of the opening 40 in the cross-section of Fig. 5, it is possible to draw a line segment connecting the opening 40 and the high-voltage connector 18 without passing through other members such as the insulators 43, 44. The fact that the opening 40 includes such a region R means that a line of sight passes from the opening 40 to the high-voltage connector 18. The region R includes a portion located above the high-voltage connector 18 on the upper side UP of the vehicle body. This indicates that the high-voltage connector 18 can be visually recognized obliquely from above through the opening 40.

[0024] The wheel well 23L is located on the left side LF and lower left side of the vehicle body above the exhaust pipe 16. The dash panel 10B (see Figure 1) is located above the rear of the vehicle body above the exhaust pipe 16. Insulators 43 and 44 are provided to block heat dissipation from the exhaust pipe 16 to the wheel well 23L and dash panel 10B. If this purpose were to be achieved with a single insulator, that insulator might obstruct the view from the opening 40 to the high-voltage connector 18. In this embodiment, the insulator is divided into an insulator 43 that covers the left side LF and lower DW of the vehicle body above the exhaust pipe 16, and an insulator 44 that covers the upper rear of the vehicle body above the exhaust pipe 16. Of these, insulator 43 is fixed to the exhaust pipe 16, while the other insulator 44 is fixed to the bulkhead 25 of the wheel well 23L, so that insulator 44 is positioned away from the exhaust pipe 16. Furthermore, the insulator 43 has a shape that includes a notch 43A in the portion located between the opening 40 and the high-voltage connector 18 (see Figure 4). In the electric vehicle 10 of this embodiment, the high-voltage connector 18 can be seen from the opening 40 by configuring the insulators 43 and 44 in this way.

[0025] <Operation of the Embodiment> As described above, a portion of the bulkhead 25 of the left front wheel well 23L of the electric vehicle 10 is made up of a removable apron panel 41. In such an electric vehicle 10, when the tire 22L and the apron panel 41 are removed from the vehicle body, an opening 40 connecting the wheel well 23L and the front compartment 11 is revealed. The portion of the bulkhead 25 that is made up of the apron panel 41 includes a region R through which a line segment can be drawn between that portion and the high-voltage connector 18 of the motor 13 without passing through any other members. Therefore, by looking into this opening 40 from the left side LF of the vehicle body, the high-voltage connector 18 of the motor 13 can be seen.

[0026] <Effects of the Embodiment> The electric vehicle 10 of this embodiment provides the following effects. (1) The electric vehicle 10 includes a front compartment 11 that houses a motor 13, a wheel well 23L that houses a tire 22L, and a partition wall 25 that separates the front compartment 11 and the wheel well 23L. Part of the partition wall 25 is made up of a removable apron panel 41. The portion of the partition wall 25 made up of the apron panel 41 is configured to include a region R through which a line segment connecting that portion and the high-voltage connector 18 can be drawn without passing through other members. In such an electric vehicle 10, the high-voltage connector 18 can be viewed from the outside simply by removing the tire 22L and the apron panel 41. Therefore, a visual inspection of the high-voltage connector 18 can be performed without jacking up the entire vehicle or removing heavy parts. Thus, the electric vehicle 10 of this embodiment has the effect of making it easy to visually inspect the high-voltage connector 18 of the motor 13, which is an electric drive unit.

[0027] (2) The high-voltage connector 18 is located on the upper part of the vehicle body above the motor 13. This makes it less likely for water splashes to come into contact with the high-voltage connector 18, thus suppressing deterioration of the high-voltage connector 18 due to corrosion.

[0028] (3) Region R includes the portion located above the vehicle body (UP) from the high-voltage connector 18. During visual inspection through the opening 40, the high-voltage connector 18 located on the upper part of the vehicle body (UP) of the motor 13 can be viewed from diagonally above. Therefore, the range of the high-voltage connector 18 that can be viewed during inspection is widened.

[0029] (4) If the insertion direction of the clip 42 is toward the wheel well 23L from the front compartment 11, the clip 42 must be attached and detached by accessing it from the front compartment 11 side, making it difficult to attach and detach the apron panel 41. In contrast, in this embodiment, the apron panel 41 is fixed by the clip 42, which is inserted toward the front compartment 11 from the wheel well 23L. Therefore, the attachment and detachment of the apron panel 41 is made easy.

[0030] (5) If the opening 40 is located in a position that overlaps with the damper 26, the damper 26 will obstruct the visual inspection of the high-voltage connector 18. In this embodiment, the apron panel 41 is located at the rear RR of the vehicle body, relative to the damper 26 of the suspension that suspends the tire 22L. As a result, the damper 26 and the opening 40 do not overlap, making it easier to perform a visual inspection of the high-voltage connector 18.

[0031] (6) In addition to the high-voltage connector 18 to which the high-voltage cable 17 is connected, the motor 13 is also provided with a low-voltage connector 20 to which the low-voltage cable 19 is connected. The electric vehicle 10 of this embodiment is designed to facilitate visual inspection of the high-voltage connector 18, which has a higher visual inspection requirement.

[0032] (7) Depending on the relative positions of the wheel well 23L and the high-voltage connector 18, the opening 40 for visually inspecting the high-voltage connector 18 may be located in the bulkhead 25 on the radially outer side of the tire 22L as seen from the tire 22L. In such cases, the worker would have to perform a visual inspection of the high-voltage connector 18 in an uncomfortable position with their head thrust into the wheel well 23L. In contrast, in the electric vehicle 10 of this embodiment, the apron panel 41 is located in the bulkhead 25 at a location that is not radially outer of the tire 22L as seen from the tire 22L. Therefore, a visual inspection of the high-voltage connector 18 can be performed without having to assume an uncomfortable position with one's head thrust into the wheel well 23L.

[0033] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0034] <About connectors> The high-voltage connector 18 may be installed on a part of the motor 13 other than the upper part of the vehicle body (UP).

[0035] If visual inspection of the low-voltage connector 20 is required, the low-voltage connector 20 may be positioned on the motor 13 so that it is visible from the opening 40, rather than the high-voltage connector 18. Alternatively, if visual inspection of both the high-voltage connector 18 and the low-voltage connector 20 is required, the high-voltage connector 18 and the low-voltage connector 20 may be positioned so that they are visible from the opening 40.

[0036] The connector configuration may be changed as appropriate. For example, the connector may have a configuration in which the terminals are covered with a resin cover or tape, or a configuration in which the terminals are not covered with a cover. The connector may also have a configuration in which a terminal block is fixed to the outer wall of the motor 13.

[0037] The motor 13 may be configured to have only one of the high-voltage connector 18 and the low-voltage connector 20. <About the electric drive unit> The electric vehicle 10 in the above embodiment was configured such that the high-voltage connector 18 of the motor 13 could be seen through the opening 40 of the bulkhead 25. The connector subject to visual inspection can be any connector that electrically connects the electric drive unit, which receives power and generates driving force for vehicle movement, to the outside. The electric drive unit is a unit that integrates the motor with one or both of the power transmission mechanism and the electrical circuit, or houses them in the same case. Examples of power transmission mechanisms include reduction mechanisms, differential mechanisms, gear shifting mechanisms, and power distribution mechanisms. Examples of power conversion devices include inverters, charging control circuits, voltage conversion circuits, and motor control circuits.

[0038] <About the apron panel> The method of fixing the apron panel 41 can be changed as appropriate, provided that it can be easily attached and detached for visual inspection. For example, the apron panel 41 may be fixed to the vehicle body by bolts or snap-fit ​​fasteners.

[0039] The position of the apron panel 41 on the bulkhead 25 may be appropriately changed depending on the positional relationship between the connector to be visually inspected and other components located between the connector and the connector. For example, the apron panel 41 may be installed on the bulkhead 25 in a position radially outward from the tire 22L when viewed from the tire 22L. Alternatively, the apron panel 41 may be installed on the bulkhead 25 in a portion overlapping with the damper 26, or in a portion of the bulkhead 25 that is further forward (FR) of the vehicle body than the damper 26. Furthermore, if the connector to be visually inspected is visible, the apron panel 41 may be configured to be located lower (DW) of the vehicle body than the connector.

[0040] Depending on the connector to be inspected and the arrangement of the electric drive unit on which that connector is located, an opening 40 and an apron panel 41 may be provided in the bulkhead 25 of the wheel well other than the left front side. For example, if the electric drive unit is installed in the rear RR part of the electric vehicle 10, providing an opening 40 and an apron panel 41 in the bulkhead of the left rear or right rear wheel well may allow for visual inspection of the connector through the opening 40.

[0041] • Multiple wheel wells may be provided with openings 40 and apron panels 41 in their bulkheads. The apron panel 41 can be any detachable component that forms part of the bulkhead 25, and its material, shape, and size may be changed as appropriate. For example, the apron panel 41 may be made of metal. Alternatively, the apron panel 41 may be made of a transparent material. In this case, the connector can be visually inspected while the apron panel 41 is attached.

[0042] <Regarding the configuration of the electric vehicle 10> The configuration and arrangement of the drive system of the electric vehicle 10 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the engine 12 may be placed transversely in the front compartment 11, or the arrangement of the engine 12, motor 13, and inverter 14 in the front compartment 11 may be different from that shown in Figures 1 and 2. Alternatively, the engine 12, motor 13, and inverter 14 may be placed in the rear compartment RR located behind the passenger compartment 10A of the electric vehicle 10.

[0043] The electric vehicle 10 may be configured as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that can be charged externally. Alternatively, the electric vehicle 10 may be configured as a battery electric vehicle that does not have an engine 12.

[0044] <Additional Notes> [Note 1] An electric vehicle comprising: an electric drive unit that receives power and generates driving force for vehicle movement; a compartment housing the electric drive unit; a wheel well housing tires; and a partition wall separating the compartment and the wheel well, wherein the electric drive unit has a connector for electrical connection to the outside, a part of the partition wall is configured to be detachable, and the detachable part of the partition wall includes an area between that part and the connector through which a line segment can be drawn without passing through other members.

[0045] [Note 2] The connector is provided on the upper part of the vehicle body of the electric drive unit as described in Note 1. [Note 3] The electric vehicle according to Note 1 or Note 2, wherein the area includes a portion located above the connector on the vehicle body.

[0046] [Note 4] The electric vehicle according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, wherein the detachably configured portion of the bulkhead is fixed by a clip with the insertion direction being from the wheel well toward the compartment.

[0047] [Note 5] The electric vehicle according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, wherein the detachably configured portion of the bulkhead is located further rearward than the damper of the suspension that suspends the tire.

[0048] [Note 6] The electric vehicle according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, wherein the electric drive unit is connected to a high-voltage cable and a low-voltage cable, and the high-voltage cable among the high-voltage cable and the low-voltage cable is connected to the connector.

[0049] [Note 7] The electric vehicle according to any of Notes 1 to 6, wherein the detachably configured portion of the bulkhead is provided in the portion of the bulkhead that is not located radially outward from the tire as seen from the tire. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10 Electric Vehicles 11 Front compartment 12 Engines 13. Motor (electric drive unit) 14 Inverters 16 Exhaust pipe 17 High-voltage cables 18 High-voltage connectors 22R, 22L tires 23L, 23R Wheel arch 25 Bulkhead 26 Damper 41 Cover 42 clips 43, 44 Insulators

Claims

1. It is an electric vehicle, An electric drive unit that receives power supply and generates driving force for vehicle movement, A compartment for housing the aforementioned electric drive unit, The wheel well that houses the tire, A partition wall separating the compartment and the wheel well, It is equipped with, The aforementioned electric drive unit has a connector for electrical connection to the outside, A portion of the aforementioned bulkhead is configured to be detachable. The detachably configured portion of the partition wall includes a region between that portion and the connector through which a line segment can be drawn without passing through other members. Electric vehicle.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the connector is provided on the upper part of the vehicle body of the electric drive unit.

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the region includes a portion located above the connector on the vehicle body.

4. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the detachably configured portion of the bulkhead is fixed by a clip with the insertion direction being from the wheel well toward the compartment.

5. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the detachably configured portion of the bulkhead is located further rearward than the damper of the suspension that suspends the tire.

6. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive unit is connected to a high-voltage cable and a low-voltage cable, and the connector is connected to the high-voltage cable.

7. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the detachably configured portion of the bulkhead is located in the bulkhead at a location that is not radially outward from the tire as viewed from the tire.

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