vehicle

Abstract

To miniaturize a power generation unit with an internal combustion engine while reducing exhaust noise. [Solution] The vehicle includes a mounting section 20 on which a power generation unit 50, which has a battery, a motor that receives power from the battery and generates power to be transmitted to the wheels, an engine 52, and a first exhaust pipe 53 through which the exhaust gas of the engine 52 flows, is detachably mounted, and a muffler 24 provided on the mounting section 20 and connected to the first exhaust pipe 53 when the power generation unit 50 is mounted on the mounting section 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an electric vehicle equipped with a power generation unit including an engine that is an internal combustion engine. The power generated by the power generation unit is supplied to the battery of the electric vehicle.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a power generation unit including an internal combustion engine, a large noise (exhaust noise) of exhaust gas is generated, so mounting a muffler in the power generation unit has been considered. The larger the volume of the muffler, the more the exhaust noise can be reduced. However, when the power generation unit is miniaturized, the volume of the muffler in the power generation unit becomes small, so the exhaust noise cannot be reduced.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to reduce exhaust noise while miniaturizing a power generation unit having an internal combustion engine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided comprising: a battery; a motor that receives power from the battery and generates power to be transmitted to the wheels; an internal combustion engine; a first exhaust pipe through which exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine flows; a mounting portion on which a power generation unit that generates power capable of supplying power to the battery is detachably mounted; and a muffler provided on the mounting portion and connected to the first exhaust pipe when the power generation unit is mounted on the mounting portion.

[0007] Furthermore, the vehicle may be provided with side frames extending along the front-rear direction, and the mounting portion may have a bracket connected to the side frame to which the power generation unit is detachably mounted, and the muffler may be provided on the bracket.

[0008] Furthermore, the bracket may have a first plate portion that supports the mounted power generation unit, and a second plate portion that is provided perpendicular to the first plate portion and supports the muffler.

[0009] Furthermore, one end of the muffler may be connected to the first exhaust pipe when the power generation unit is mounted on the mounting section, and the other end of the muffler may be connected to a second exhaust pipe that discharges the exhaust gas to the outside.

[0010] Furthermore, either the power generation unit or the replaceable battery may be detachably mounted to the mounting portion.

[0011] Furthermore, the system may also include a cooling water pipe, part of which is located inside the muffler, through which cooling water capable of heat exchange with the exhaust gas flows, and the cooling water pipe may be connected to an external device located outside the muffler.

[0012] Furthermore, the cooling water piping may be provided so as to be in contact with the battery, and the battery may be heated by the cooling water flowing through the cooling water piping.

[0013] Furthermore, the system may also include a cooling water pipe, part of which is provided inside the muffler, through which cooling water capable of heat exchange with the exhaust gas flows, and the cooling water pipe may be provided outside the muffler and connected to a radiator that cools the cooling water. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to miniaturize a power generation unit having an internal combustion engine while reducing exhaust noise. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the power generation unit 50 mounted on the mounting section 20. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the state before the power generation unit 50 is attached to the mounting section 20. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] <Vehicle Configuration> Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing a vehicle 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the power generation unit 50 is mounted on the mounting section 20. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the state before the power generation unit 50 is mounted on the mounting section 20. Note that Figure 1 shows the state in which the replaceable battery 13 is mounted on the mounting section 20, and Figure 2 shows the state in which the power generation unit 50 is mounted on the mounting section 20. In Figure 3, the flow of exhaust gas from the engine 52 is indicated by arrows.

[0017] Vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle, specifically a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). Vehicle 1 runs by driving a motor using electricity stored in a battery as a power source. Here, Vehicle 1 is a truck with a frame structure. As shown in FIG. 1, Vehicle 1 has a motor 10, a swappable battery 13, a side frame 16, and a mounting part 20.

[0018] The motor 10 is a drive source for running Vehicle 1. The motor 10 generates a driving force to be transmitted to the wheels 12 of Vehicle 1. The motor 10 receives power from the swappable battery 13 and generates a driving force.

[0019] The swappable battery 13 is a replaceable battery. The swappable battery 13 is a rechargeable secondary battery. As an example, the swappable battery 13 is a lithium-ion battery. The swappable battery 13 can be charged from an external charger.

[0020] The side frame 16 is a vehicle body frame that forms a skeleton to support Vehicle 1. The side frame 16 has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape (see FIG. 3). The side frame 16 is provided along the front-rear direction of Vehicle 1. The motor 10 and the swappable battery 13 are mounted on the side frame 16. In FIG. 1, the swappable battery 13 is mounted on the left side (the front side in FIG. 1) in the vehicle width direction of the side frame 16, but actually, the swappable battery 13 is also mounted on the right side (the rear side in FIG. 1) in the vehicle width direction of the side frame 16. That is, in FIG. 1, a plurality of swappable batteries 13 (two swappable batteries 13) are mounted on the side frame 16.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting part 20 is a part where the swappable battery 13 is detachably mounted. The mounting part 20 is provided on the side frame 16. The mounting part 20 is provided to be exposed to the outside, facilitating the removal and mounting of the swappable battery 13 from the mounting part 20.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, a power generation unit 50 can be detachably mounted on the mounting section 20 in place of one of the multiple replaceable batteries 13. In other words, either the power generation unit 50 or one of the replaceable batteries 13 can be detachably mounted on the mounting section 20. In this embodiment, the size of the power generation unit 50 is set to be approximately the same as the size of the replaceable battery 13 in order to facilitate mounting of the power generation unit 50 on the mounting section 20.

[0023] The power generation unit 50 is a unit that generates electricity that can be supplied to the replaceable battery 13 (in this case, the replaceable battery 13 located on the right side in the vehicle width direction on the side frame 16). Inside the power generation unit 50, as shown in Figure 3, there is an engine 52 which is an internal combustion engine and a first exhaust pipe 53 through which the exhaust gas of the engine 52 flows. Inside the power generation unit 50 there is also a generator 54 connected to the output shaft of the engine 52 and a fuel tank that supplies fuel to the engine. The generator 54 is connected to the output shaft of the engine 52 via a belt and pulleys. When the power generation unit 50 is mounted on the mounting section 20, the electricity generated by the generator 54 by driving the engine 52 is supplied to the replaceable battery 13 via an inverter and power lines. By storing the electricity generated by the power generation unit 50 in the replaceable battery 13, the driving range of the vehicle 1 can be extended.

[0024] By the way, the power generation unit 50 generates a lot of noise (exhaust sound) from the exhaust gases of the engine 52, so it is desirable to install a muffler. The larger the volume of the muffler, the more the exhaust sound can be reduced. On the other hand, if the power generation unit 50 is made smaller, the volume of the muffler inside the power generation unit 50 will be smaller, and therefore the exhaust sound cannot be reduced. In contrast, in this embodiment, the muffler 24 is not installed inside the power generation unit 50 but is installed in the mounting section 20 to address exhaust noise. As shown in Figure 3, when the muffler 24 is installed in the mounting section 20, the volume of the muffler 24 can be increased even if the power generation unit 50 is made smaller, thus reducing exhaust noise.

[0025] <Detailed configuration of the mounting part> The detailed configuration of the mounting section 20 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. As shown in Figure 3, the mounting section 20 includes a bracket 22, a muffler 24, a second exhaust pipe 26, and a cooling water pipe 28.

[0026] The bracket 22 is connected to the side frame 16. The power generation unit 50 is detachably mounted on the bracket 22. Alternatively, a replaceable battery 13 can be detachably mounted on the bracket 22 instead of the power generation unit 50.

[0027] A pair of brackets 22 are provided on both sides of the vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction. Each of the pair of brackets 22 is connected to the side frame 16 of the vehicle 1. Since the configuration of the pair of brackets 22 is the same, the detailed configuration of one of the brackets 22 will be described below.

[0028] The bracket 22 is a metal sheet metal member and is fixed to the side frame 16 by fastening members. The bracket 22 is provided so as to be exposed to the outside. The bracket 22 is, for example, L-shaped and has a first plate portion 23a and a second plate portion 23b.

[0029] The first plate portion 23a is a horizontal plate provided parallel to the horizontal direction (vehicle width direction). The first plate portion 23a supports the power generation unit 50 when the power generation unit 50 is mounted on the mounting portion 20. The first plate portion 23a supports the replaceable battery 13 when the replaceable battery 13 is mounted on the mounting portion 20. The power generation unit 50 and the replaceable battery 13 are mounted on the mounting portion 20 by sliding on the first plate portion 23a (see Figure 4). The first plate portion 23a is provided with a fixing portion for fixing the power generation unit 50 or the replaceable battery 13.

[0030] The second plate portion 23b is provided perpendicular to the first plate portion 23a. Specifically, the second plate portion 23b is a vertical plate provided parallel to the vertical direction. The second plate portion 23b is in contact with the side frame 16 and is fixed to the side frame 16 by fastening members. The second plate portion 23b supports the muffler 24.

[0031] The muffler 24 is a silencer designed to suppress exhaust noise. A space for exhaust gas to flow is formed inside the muffler 24. The muffler 24 is installed on the mounting section 20. Specifically, the muffler 24 is attached to the bracket 22 of the mounting section 20. When the power generation unit 50 is mounted on the mounting section 20, the muffler 24 is connected to the first exhaust pipe 53 of the power generation unit 50, as shown in Figure 3. As a result, the exhaust gas generated when the engine 52 of the power generation unit 50 is operating flows from the first exhaust pipe 53 to the muffler 24. The exhaust noise of the exhaust gas is reduced as it passes through the muffler 24.

[0032] In this embodiment, since the muffler 24 is attached to a bracket 22 outside the power generation unit 50, the volume of the muffler 24 is larger (in other words, the muffler 24 itself is larger) compared to when the muffler 24 is installed inside the power generation unit 50. With this larger volume, the muffler 24 can further reduce the exhaust noise of the exhaust gas flowing from the first exhaust pipe 53.

[0033] The muffler 24 is positioned opposite the second plate portion 23b of the bracket 22. Specifically, the muffler 24 is positioned parallel to the second plate portion 23b. The muffler 24 is sandwiched between the second plate portion 23b and the power generation unit 50. The muffler 24 is positioned along the vertical direction, and its vertical length is approximately the same as the vertical length of the power generation unit 50.

[0034] One end 24a of the muffler 24 in the vertical direction is connected to the first exhaust pipe 53 when the power generation unit 50 is mounted on the mounting section 20. Specifically, one end 24a of the muffler 24 is connected to a connecting section 53a (Figure 4) provided at the tip of the first exhaust pipe 53. When the power generation unit 50 is not mounted on the mounting section 20, one end 24a of the muffler 24 is exposed to the outside.

[0035] The second exhaust pipe 26 is connected to the other end 24b of the muffler 24 in the vertical direction. The second exhaust pipe 26 is attached to the second plate portion 23b of the bracket 22. Specifically, the second exhaust pipe 26 is installed so as to pass through the second plate portion 23b. When the power generation unit 50 is mounted on the mounting portion 20, the second exhaust pipe 26 discharges the exhaust gas from the power generation unit 50 to the outside. As a result, the exhaust gas, whose exhaust noise has been reduced by the muffler 24, is discharged to the outside from the second exhaust pipe 26.

[0036] The cooling water piping 28 is a passage through which cooling water capable of heat exchange with exhaust gas flows. The cooling water piping 28 is installed to pass through the muffler 24. Specifically, a portion (one end) of the cooling water piping 28 is installed inside the muffler 24. As a result, heat exchange occurs between the exhaust gas and the cooling water inside the muffler 24, and the cooling water is heated by the exhaust gas. In other words, the cooling water is heated by effectively utilizing the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the power generation unit 50. In Figures 3 and 4, the cooling water piping 28 penetrates the bracket 22 (specifically the first plate portion 23a), but the cooling water piping 28 may also be installed to bypass the bracket 22.

[0037] The cooling water pipe 28 is arranged within the muffler 24 from one end 24a to the other end 24b in the vertical direction. Specifically, the cooling water pipe 28 is arranged from the connection point with the first exhaust pipe 53 to the connection point with the second exhaust pipe 26. As a result, the cooling water flowing through the cooling water pipe 28 can exchange heat with the exhaust gas over a wide area of ​​the muffler 24, thereby promoting the heating of the cooling water.

[0038] The cooling water pipe 28 is connected to an external device 40 located outside the muffler 24. The external device 40 is located inside the vehicle 1 and, in this case, is a battery (hereinafter referred to as the second battery) 42 as an example. The second battery 42 stores power to supply, for example, auxiliary equipment of the vehicle 1. It is known that the performance of the second battery 42 deteriorates when its temperature falls below a desired temperature.

[0039] Therefore, in this embodiment, the cooling water pipe 28 is provided so as to be in contact with the second battery 42, and the second battery 42 is heated by the cooling water flowing through the cooling water pipe 28. That is, the cooling water heated by heat exchange with exhaust gas in the muffler 24 flows through the cooling water pipe 28 and heats the second battery 42. As a result, it is possible to suppress the temperature of the second battery 42 from falling below the desired temperature, and thus suppress the deterioration of the performance of the second battery 42.

[0040] In the above description, the external device 40 is assumed to be the second battery 42, but it is not limited to this. For example, the external device 40 may be a heating device installed in the vehicle 1. In this case, the heating device can heat the interior of the vehicle 1 using the heat from the coolant heated by the muffler 24.

[0041] The external device 40 may also be a radiator that cools the coolant. The radiator cools the coolant with air (for example, the airflow when the vehicle 1 is running). In this case, the coolant cooled by the radiator flows through the coolant piping 28 and exchanges heat with the exhaust gas from the power generation unit 50 in the muffler 24, thereby lowering the temperature of the exhaust gas. When the temperature of the exhaust gas decreases, the exhaust noise of the exhaust gas decreases. Furthermore, when the replaceable battery 13 is installed in the mounting section 20, the hot replaceable battery 13 can be cooled as it passes through the muffler 24, which is cooled by the radiator. If the temperature of the replaceable battery 13 is too high, its performance will deteriorate, so by cooling the replaceable battery 13 with coolant and keeping it below the desired temperature, the deterioration of the replaceable battery 13's performance can be suppressed. External devices 40 may include both a second battery 42 and a radiator. In this case, it is desirable to provide a switching valve in the cooling water piping 28 that can be switched to direct the water to either the second battery 42 or the radiator.

[0042] In the above description, it is assumed that a cooling water pipe 28 is provided inside the muffler 24, but this is not the case. For example, as shown in Figure 5, a cooling water pipe 28 does not need to be provided inside the muffler 24. Even in this case, the exhaust noise of the exhaust gas from the engine 52 of the power generation unit 50 is suppressed as it passes through the muffler 24 provided on the mounting part 20. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example.

[0043] <Effects of this embodiment> The vehicle 1 of the above-described embodiment has a mounting section 20 to which the power generation unit 50 is detachably attached, and a muffler 24 which is connected to the first exhaust pipe 53 of the power generation unit 50 when the power generation unit 50 is attached to the mounting section 20. When the muffler 24 is installed on the mounting section 20, even if the power generation unit 50 is made smaller, the volume of the muffler 24 can be increased, thereby reducing the exhaust noise of the exhaust gas from the engine 52 of the power generation unit 50.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1 vehicle 10 motors 13. Replaceable battery 16 Side Frames 20 Mounting part 22 brackets 23a 1st plate part 23b 2nd plate part 24 muffler 24a One end 24b Other end 26. Second exhaust pipe 28 Cooling water piping 40 External device 42 Second Battery 50 power generation units 52 Engine 53. First exhaust pipe

Claims

1. Battery and A motor that receives power from the aforementioned battery and generates power to be transmitted to the wheels, A mounting section to which a power generation unit, which generates electricity capable of supplying power to the battery, is detachably attached, has an internal combustion engine and a first exhaust pipe through which the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine flows. A muffler provided in the mounting portion and connected to the first exhaust pipe when the power generation unit is mounted in the mounting portion, A vehicle equipped with the following features.

2. The vehicle further comprises side frames provided along the front-rear direction, The mounting portion has a bracket connected to the side frame and to which the power generation unit is detachably mounted. The muffler is provided on the bracket, The vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned bracket is A first plate portion that supports the mounted power generation unit, It has a second plate portion provided perpendicular to the first plate portion and supporting the muffler, The vehicle according to claim 2.

4. One end of the muffler is connected to the first exhaust pipe when the power generation unit is mounted to the mounting portion. The muffler is connected to the other end and further comprises a second exhaust pipe for discharging the exhaust gas to the outside. The vehicle according to claim 1.

5. Either the power generation unit or the replaceable battery is detachably mounted to the aforementioned mounting section. The vehicle according to claim 1.

6. A portion of the coolant pipe is provided within the muffler, and the coolant pipe through which coolant capable of heat exchange with the exhaust gas flows is further provided. The aforementioned cooling water piping is connected to an external device located outside the muffler. The vehicle according to claim 1.

7. The cooling water piping is provided so as to be in contact with the battery, The battery is heated by the cooling water flowing through the cooling water pipe. The vehicle according to claim 6.

8. A portion of the coolant pipe is provided within the muffler, and the coolant pipe through which coolant capable of heat exchange with the exhaust gas flows is further provided. The aforementioned cooling water piping is provided outside the muffler and is connected to a radiator that cools the cooling water. The vehicle according to claim 5.

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