Support structure for drive unit

Abstract

To provide a drive unit support structure that can protect the coolant inlet and outlet pipes located on the front wall of the case from impact during a rear-end collision. [Solution] In the support structure of the drive unit 5, the mount bracket 12 connecting the front wall 21A of the case body 21 and the cross member has an annular portion 12B that houses a cylindrical mount bush 11 connected to the front wall 21A of the case body 21, a member mounting portion 12A connected to the cross member 3, and a connecting portion 12C that inclins forward as it extends upward from the annular portion 12B and connects the annular portion 12B and the member mounting portion 12A. The cooling water introduction pipe 23 and the cooling water discharge pipe 24 are located behind the front end portion 12a of the connecting portion 12C and extend from the front wall 21A of the case body 21 in the vehicle width direction, bending in the vehicle width direction so as to face the connecting portion 12C in the vehicle width direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support structure for a drive device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a support device for a driving force transmission device that houses a motor generator, a plurality of gears, and a differential device and supports it on a cross member via a rear mount bracket (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The rear mount bracket has a flange portion connected to the cross member, an annular portion connected to the front surface of the driving force transmission device, and a portion that extends upward from the annular portion in the vertical direction and is connected to the flange portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in a driving force transmission device having a motor generator, an electrical device such as an inverter may be cooled with a coolant.

[0006] * Therefore, when a pipe for circulating the coolant is provided on the front surface (front wall) of the driving force transmission device, in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle, there is a risk that the pipe will collide with a vehicle body member located in front of the driving force transmission device by the driving force transmission device moving forward.

[0007] The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a support structure for a drive device that can protect a coolant introduction pipe and a coolant discharge pipe provided on the front wall of a case from collision during a rear-end collision of a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a drive unit support structure located at the rear of a vehicle, comprising: a rotating electric machine; a power control device for controlling the power supplied to the rotating electric machine; a case housing the rotating electric machine and the power control device; a coolant introduction pipe connected to the front wall of the case through which coolant for cooling the power control device is introduced; and a coolant discharge pipe connected to the front wall of the case through which the coolant used to cool the power control device is discharged; and a cross member provided in front of the drive unit and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a mount bracket connecting the front wall of the case and the cross member, wherein the mount bracket has a housing portion housing a mount bush connected to the front wall of the case, a member mounting portion connected to the cross member, and a connecting portion that inclins forward as it extends upward from the housing portion and connects the housing portion and the member mounting portion, and the coolant introduction pipe and the coolant discharge pipe are located behind the front end of the connecting portion and extend from the front wall of the case in the vehicle width direction, bending in the vehicle width direction so as to face the connecting portion in the vehicle width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, according to the present invention, the coolant introduction pipe and coolant discharge pipe provided on the front wall of the case can be protected from impact during a rear-end collision of a vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the support structure of a drive device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a bottom view of the rear of a vehicle. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the support structure of a drive device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a front view of the drive device. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the support structure of a drive device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a top view of the drive device. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the front bracket of the support structure of a drive device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] A drive unit support structure according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a drive unit located at the rear of a vehicle, having a rotating electric machine, a power control device for controlling the power supplied to the rotating electric machine, a case housing the rotating electric machine and the power control device, a coolant introduction pipe connected to the front wall of the case through which coolant for cooling the power control device is introduced, and a coolant discharge pipe connected to the front wall of the case through which the coolant that has cooled the power control device is discharged, and a cross member provided in front of the drive unit and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a mount bracket connecting the front wall of the case and the cross member, wherein the mount bracket has a housing portion housing a mount bush connected to the front wall of the case, a member mounting portion connected to the cross member, and a connecting portion that inclins forward as it extends upward from the housing portion and connects the housing portion and the member mounting portion, and the coolant introduction pipe and the coolant discharge pipe are located behind the front end of the connecting portion and extend from the front wall of the case in the vehicle width direction, bending in the vehicle width direction so as to face the connecting portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] As a result, the support structure of the drive unit according to one embodiment of the present invention can protect the coolant introduction pipe and coolant discharge pipe provided on the front wall of the case from impact during a rear-end collision of the vehicle. [Examples]

[0013] The following describes a support structure for a drive device according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 6 show the support structure of a drive device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] First, let me explain the structure. In FIGS. 1 to 6, the vertical, front-rear, and left-right directions are based on the drive device in the state of being arranged on the vehicle. The front-rear direction of the vehicle is the front-rear direction, the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) of the vehicle is the left-right direction, and the vertical direction (height direction) of the vehicle is the vertical direction.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a left side member 2L, a right side member 2R, a cross member 3, and a sub side member 4.

[0016] The left side member 2L and the right side member 2R are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction and extend in the front-rear direction. The vehicle width direction is the left-right direction.

[0017] The cross member 3 extends in the vehicle width direction, and its left and right ends are connected to the left side member 2L and the right side member 2R. The front end of the sub side member 4 is connected to the cross member 3, and the rear end is connected to a rear cross member (not shown).

[0018] A drive device 5 is arranged in the space surrounded by the left side member 2L, the sub side member 4, and the cross member 3.

[0019] Specifically, the drive device 5 is arranged between the left side member 2L and the sub side member 4 in the vehicle width direction and behind the cross member 3 in the front-rear direction. That is, the cross member 3 is arranged in front of the drive device 5.

[0020] The drive device 5 includes a motor generator (not shown) as a rotary electric machine, an inverter 6 (see FIG. 3) as a power control device provided above the motor generator and controlling the power supplied to the motor generator, a speed reducer (not shown) for reducing the driving force (rotation speed) of the motor generator, and a differential device (not shown) for transmitting the power of the speed reducer to the left and right rear wheels (not shown) via the left drive shaft 7L and the right drive shaft 7R.

[0021] The motor generator, inverter 6, reduction gear, and differential device are housed in the drive case 8. In this embodiment, the drive case 8 constitutes the case.

[0022] Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drive case 8 has a case body 21 that houses the motor generator, inverter 6, reduction gear and differential device, and a cover 22 attached to the upper end of the case body 21.

[0023] The motor generator has two functions: it functions as an electric motor driven by power supplied from a high-voltage battery (not shown) via an inverter 6, and as a generator that generates electricity using the reverse driving force input from the differential device.

[0024] The inverter 6 converts DC power supplied from the high-voltage battery into three-phase AC power and supplies it to the motor generator, and converts the three-phase AC power generated by the motor generator into DC power to charge the high-voltage battery. The high-voltage battery is composed of a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the inverter 6 is positioned at the top of the case body 21 so as to be above the motor generator, reduction gear, and differential device, and extends from the upper front end 22a to the upper rear end 22b of the lid 22 in the space above the case body 21.

[0026] In this embodiment, the upper front end portion 22a of the lid portion 22 constitutes the upper front end portion of the case, and the upper rear end portion 22b of the lid portion 22 constitutes the upper rear end portion of the case.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, a front flange portion 22F is provided at the front end of the lid portion 22, and the front flange portion 22F extends forward from the upper front end portion 22a of the lid portion 22 beyond the front wall 21A of the case body portion 21 (see Figure 2).

[0028] The front flange portion 22F is provided with a pair of bolt fastening portions 22c and 22d that bulge forward from the front flange portion 22F, and the bolt fastening portions 22c and 22d are fastened to the case body portion 21 by bolts 13A.

[0029] The bolt fastening portions 22c and 22d have bulging portions 22f and 22g that protrude forward from the front flange portion 22F.

[0030] An outer peripheral flange portion 22A is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the lid portion 22, excluding the front end portion. The lid portion 22 is fastened to the case body portion 21 by bolts at bolt fastening portions (not shown) provided on the outer peripheral flange portion 22A. Bolt fastening portions (not shown) are also provided on both sides in the width direction of the front flange portion 22F.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drive unit 5 is located below the floor panel 9 and at the rear of the vehicle 1. At the front of the vehicle 1 are a drive source (not shown), the left and right drive shafts to which the power from the drive source is transmitted, and the left and right front wheels.

[0032] In this embodiment, vehicle 1 can be driven in two-wheel drive mode when only the front drive source is driven, and in four-wheel drive mode when both the drive source and the drive unit 5 are driven. The front drive source is not particularly limited.

[0033] The drive unit 5 is elastically supported on the cross member 3 by the front mounting device 10. As shown in Figure 3, the front mounting device 10 has a mounting bush 11 and a mounting bracket 12. In this embodiment, the front mounting device 10 constitutes the mounting device.

[0034] The mounting bush 11 comprises an inner cylinder 11A whose central axis extends in the front-rear direction, an outer cylinder 11B provided radially outward from the inner cylinder 11A and whose central axis also extends in the front-rear direction, and a mounting rubber 11C provided radially between the inner cylinder 11A and the outer cylinder 11B and connecting the inner cylinder 11A and the outer cylinder 11B, and is formed in a cylindrical shape overall.

[0035] The inner cylinder 11A is fastened (connected) to the lower part of the front wall 21A of the case body 21 by bolts 13B, and the mounting bush 11 is positioned so that its central axis extends in the front-rear direction.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the mount bracket 12 has a member mounting portion 12A that extends in the vehicle width direction and is fastened (connected) to the lower surface of the cross member 3 by bolts 13C, an annular portion 12B that houses the mount bush 11 when the mount bush 11 is press-fitted into it, and a connecting portion 12C that connects the annular portion 12B and the member mounting portion 12A. In this embodiment, the annular portion 12B constitutes the housing portion.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connecting portion 12C is inclined diagonally upward and forward from the annular portion 12B toward the member mounting portion 12A, such that the annular portion 12B is located behind the member mounting portion 12A and the member mounting portion 12A is located in front of the annular portion 12B.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, the connecting portion 12C has an inclined wall 12D extending in the vertical direction and a central wall 12E extending rearward from the center of the inclined wall 12D in the vehicle width direction, connecting the member mounting portion 12A and the upper end of the center of the annular portion 12B in the vehicle width direction.

[0039] The connecting section 12C has a left side wall 12F that extends rearward from the left end of the inclined wall 12D and connects the member mounting section 12A and the upper left end of the annular section 12B, and a right side wall 12G that extends rearward from the right end of the inclined wall 12D and connects the member mounting section 12A and the upper right end of the annular section 12B.

[0040] The front end portion 12c of the central wall 12E, excluding its upper end, is located behind the front end portion 12a of the left wall 12F and the front end portion 12a of the right wall 12G.

[0041] The front end 12a of the left wall 12F and the front end 12a of the right wall 12G constitute the front end 12a of the connecting section 12C.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a suspension frame 20 is provided in front of the front mounting device 10, and the suspension frame 20 is located below the cross member 3 and extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] As shown in Figure 1, the drive unit 5 is fitted with a left mount device 14 and a right mount device 15, and the drive unit 5 is elastically supported by the left side member 2L and the sub-side member 4 by the left mount device 14 and the right mount device 15.

[0044] The left mounting device 14 has a mounting bracket 16. The mounting bracket 16 has a member mounting portion 16A which is fastened (connected) to the lower surface of the left side member 2L by a bolt 13D, an annular portion 16B which houses a cylindrical mounting bush (not shown) equipped with mounting rubber, and a connecting portion 16C which connects the annular portion 16B and the member mounting portion 16A.

[0045] The member mounting portion 16A is located above the annular portion 16B, and the connecting portion 16C extends in the vehicle width direction. The mounting bush of the left mounting device 14 is connected to the left side wall 21B of the case body portion 21 by a bolt 13E.

[0046] The right mounting device 15 has a mounting bracket 17. The mounting bracket 17 has a member mounting portion 17A that is fastened (connected) to the lower surface of the sub-side member 4 by bolts 13F, and an annular portion 17B that houses a cylindrical mounting bush (not shown) equipped with mounting rubber, with the member mounting portion 17A located above the annular portion 17B. The mounting bush of the right mounting device 15 is connected to the right side wall 21C of the case body portion 21 by bolts 13G.

[0047] The front mounting device 10, the left mounting device 14, and the right mounting device 15 have their annular sections 12B, 16B, and 17B positioned at the lowest level.

[0048] In other words, the drive unit 5 is elastically supported by the left side member 2L, the sub-side member 4, and the cross member 3, by being suspended from the left side member 2L, the sub-side member 4, and the cross member 3 by the front mounting device 10, the left mounting device 14, and the right mounting device 15.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3, the drive unit 5 is positioned in a forward-tilting position such that the upper front end 22a of the lid 22 is located below the lower surface 3a of the cross member 3, and the upper rear end 22b of the lid 22 is located above the lower surface 3a of the cross member 3.

[0050] In other words, the drive unit 5 is positioned in a forward-tilting position such that the upper front end 22a of the lid 22 is located lower than the upper rear end 22b.

[0051] The upper surface 22e of the lid portion 22 is formed as a plane that slopes from the upper front end portion 22a toward the upper rear end portion 22b.

[0052] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a bulge 9A is formed in the floor panel 9, and the bulge 9A bulges upward from the horizontal portion 9a of the floor panel 9.

[0053] The bulging portion 9A has an inclined portion 9b and a rear wall portion 9c. The inclined portion 9b faces the upper surface 22e of the lid portion 22 in the vertical direction and is inclined upward from the front end to the rear end. In other words, a gap is formed between the inclined portion 9b and the upper surface 22e of the lid portion 22.

[0054] Since the drive unit 5 is positioned in a forward-tilting position, it extends into the passenger compartment from the horizontal portion 9a of the floor panel 9. This prevents the vertical dimensions of the vehicle 1 from increasing, thereby enabling a more compact vehicle 1.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4, the front wall 21A of the case body 21 is provided with a cooling water inlet pipe 23 and a cooling water outlet pipe 24, and the cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24 are connected to bosses 21a and 21b formed on the front wall 21A. The front wall 21A of the case body 21 constitutes the front wall of the case.

[0056] The cooling water introduction pipe 23 introduces cooling water into the drive case 8. The cooling water introduced into the drive case 8 is supplied around the inverter 6, thereby cooling the inverter 6 with the cooling water.

[0057] The cooling water that has cooled the inverter 6 is discharged from inside the drive case 8 through the cooling water discharge pipe 24.

[0058] A radiator (not shown) is located in front of the drive unit 5, and cooling water intake pipes 23 and cooling water discharge pipes 24 are connected to the radiator by cooling water piping (not shown) through which cooling water flows.

[0059] In this embodiment, the cooling water introduction pipe 23 and the cooling water discharge pipe 24 are connected to the bosses 21a and 21b of the front wall 21A of the case body 21, so the length of the cooling water piping can be shortened.

[0060] In this embodiment, the cooling water inlet pipe 23 constitutes the coolant inlet pipe, and the cooling water discharge pipe 24 constitutes the coolant discharge pipe. Note that the coolant used to cool the inverter 6 is not limited to cooling water.

[0061] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24 are located behind the front end 12a of the connecting section 12C, and extend in the vehicle width direction from the front wall 21A of the case body 21, bending in the vehicle width direction so as to face the connecting section 12C in the vehicle width direction.

[0062] In other words, the coolant inlet pipe 23 extends forward from the front wall 21A (boss portion 21a) of the case body 21, then bends to the right in the vehicle width direction away from the connecting portion 12C. The coolant discharge pipe 24 extends forward from the front wall 21A (boss portion 21b) of the case body 21, then bends to the left in the vehicle width direction away from the connecting portion 12C.

[0063] Furthermore, the cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24 are positioned behind the front end 12b of the annular section 12B, which is located closest to the front wall 21A of the case body 21 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24 are positioned behind the front end of the mount bracket 12 (the front end 12a of the connecting section 12C and the front end 12b of the annular section 12B).

[0064] In other words, the mounting bracket 12 is positioned such that the front end 12a of the connecting portion 12C and the front end 12b of the annular portion 12B are located in front of the cooling water introduction pipe 23 and the cooling water discharge pipe 24.

[0065] As shown in Figure 5, when the drive unit 5 is viewed from above, the connecting portion 12C is positioned between the bulging portions 22f and 22g in the vehicle width direction, and the front flange portion 22F is located between the member mounting portion 12A and the annular portion 12B in the front-rear direction.

[0066] Next, the effects of the support structure of the drive unit 5 in this embodiment will be explained. The support structure of the drive unit 5 in this embodiment comprises a motor generator, an inverter 6 that controls the power supplied to the motor generator, a drive case 8 having a case body 21 that houses the motor generator and the inverter 6, a cooling water introduction pipe 23 connected to the front wall 21A of the case body 21 through which cooling water for cooling the inverter 6 is introduced, and a cooling water discharge pipe 24 connected to the front wall 21A of the case body 21 through which the cooling water that has cooled the inverter 6 is discharged, and the drive unit 5 is provided at the rear of the vehicle 1.

[0067] In addition, the support structure of the drive unit 5 in this embodiment includes a cross member 3 provided in front of the drive unit 5 and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a mounting bracket 12 that connects the front wall 21A of the case body 21 and the cross member 3.

[0068] The mounting bracket 12 has an annular portion 12B that houses a cylindrical mounting bush 11 connected to the front wall 21A of the case body 21, a member mounting portion 12A connected to the cross member 3, and a connecting portion 12C that inclins forward as it extends upward from the annular portion 12B and connects the annular portion 12B and the member mounting portion 12A.

[0069] The cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24 are located behind the front end 12a of the connecting section 12C and extend from the front wall 21A of the case body 21 in a curved manner in the vehicle width direction so as to face the connecting section 12C in the vehicle width direction.

[0070] As a result, when an impact load is applied to the drive unit 5 from the rear during a rear-end collision of vehicle 1, the drive unit 5 moves forward, causing the drive case 8 and the front mounting device 10 connected to the drive case 8 to move forward. This allows the mounting bracket 12 to collide with the suspension frame 20 before the cooling water inlet pipe 23 and cooling water outlet pipe 24 collide with the suspension frame 20.

[0071] This prevents the coolant inlet pipe 23 and the coolant outlet pipe 24 from colliding with the suspension frame 20, and protects the coolant inlet pipe 23, the coolant outlet pipe 24, and the bosses 21a and 21b from collision.

[0072] Furthermore, even if a vehicle body component other than the suspension frame 20 is positioned in front of the drive unit 5, the mount bracket 12 can collide with the vehicle body component before the coolant inlet pipe 23 and the coolant outlet pipe 24 collide with the vehicle body component, thus protecting the coolant inlet pipe 23, the coolant outlet pipe 24, and the boss portions 21a and 21b from collision.

[0073] Furthermore, according to the support structure of the drive unit 5 in this embodiment, since the connecting portion 12C of the mount bracket 12 is inclined, the cooling water introduction pipe 23 and the cooling water discharge pipe 24 can be positioned further back than the member mounting portion 12A.

[0074] This increases the distance between the coolant inlet pipe 23 and the coolant outlet pipe 24 and the suspension frame 20 during a rear-end collision of vehicle 1. In other words, the distance between the coolant inlet pipe 23 and the coolant outlet pipe 24 and the member mounting portion 12A in the front-rear direction can be increased, and the forward clearance space (movement space) for the coolant inlet pipe 23 and the coolant outlet pipe 24 can be increased by this distance.

[0075] Therefore, collisions between the cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24 and the suspension frame 20 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0076] In this case, if the mounting bracket 12 is extended vertically, the front-to-back distance between the cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24 and the member mounting portion 12A cannot be made larger than that of the inclined mounting bracket 12, so the forward clearance space for the cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24 cannot be made larger.

[0077] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a large clearance space in front of the drive unit 5, which is undesirable in terms of miniaturizing the vehicle 1.

[0078] In this embodiment, the support structure of the drive unit 5 utilizes the space in which the mount bracket 12 is positioned as a clearance space by tilting the mount bracket 12. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a large clearance space in front of the drive unit 5, and the vehicle 1 can be made smaller.

[0079] Furthermore, according to the support structure of the drive unit 5 in this embodiment, the coolant introduction pipe 23 and the coolant discharge pipe 24 can be protected from collisions using the mount bracket 12, eliminating the need to newly provide separate collision countermeasures such as protective covers or protective brackets, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the vehicle 1.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the support structure of the drive unit 5 in this embodiment, the coolant introduction pipe 23 and the coolant discharge pipe 24 can be protected from collisions by using the mount bracket 12. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the strength of the vehicle body parts of the vehicle 1 at the point of impact to prevent the drive unit 5 from moving forward during a rear-end collision, and the manufacturing cost of the vehicle 1 can be reduced accordingly.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the support structure of the drive unit 5 in this embodiment, the cooling water introduction pipe 23 and the cooling water discharge pipe 24 are positioned behind the front end portion 12b of the annular portion 12B.

[0082] This allows the cooling water introduction pipe 23 and the cooling water discharge pipe 24 to be positioned further back than the front end portion 12b of the annular portion 12B, which is located furthest back relative to the member mounting portion 12A.

[0083] Therefore, the distance between the coolant inlet pipe 23 and the coolant outlet pipe 24 and the member mounting portion 12A in the front-rear direction can be made even larger, and the forward clearance space for the coolant inlet pipe 23 and the coolant outlet pipe 24 during a rear-end collision of the vehicle 1 can be made even larger. As a result, the coolant inlet pipe 23 and the coolant outlet pipe 24 can be protected more effectively from the impact.

[0084] Furthermore, according to the support structure of the drive device 5 of this embodiment, the drive case 8 has a case body portion 21 having a front wall 21A, and a lid portion 22 attached to the upper end of the case body portion 21, with a front flange portion 22F provided at its front end.

[0085] The front flange portion 22F has bolt fastening portions 22c and 22d that bulge forward from the front flange portion 22F and are fastened to the case body portion 21 by bolts 13A.

[0086] The bolt fastening portions 22c and 22d have bulging portions 22f and 22g that protrude forward from the front flange portion 22F, and when the drive unit 5 is viewed from above, the connecting portion 12C is positioned so as to be sandwiched between the bulging portions 22f and 22g in the vehicle width direction.

[0087] As a result, when the vehicle 1 is rear-ended, if the front flange portion 22F collides with the connecting portion 12C and the drive case 8 moves in the vehicle width direction (when a load is applied in the vehicle width direction), the bolt fastening portions 22c and 22d can be brought into contact with the mount bracket 12 in the vehicle width direction, thereby suppressing excessive movement of the drive case 8 in the vehicle width direction.

[0088] Therefore, the coolant inlet pipe 23 and coolant outlet pipe 24, which are located outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the mount bracket 12, can be prevented from coming into contact with the mount bracket 12. As a result, the coolant inlet pipe 23 and coolant outlet pipe 24 can be more effectively protected from collisions.

[0089] While embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. All such modifications and equivalents are intended to be included in the following claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 1 vehicle 3 Cross Member 5. Drive unit 6. Inverter (Power Control Device) 11 Mounting bush 12 Mounting Bracket 12A Member mounting section 12a Front end (front end of connecting wall) 12B Ring section (housing section) 12b Front end (front end of the storage section) 12C Liaison Office 13A volt 21 Case body 21A Front wall (front wall of the case) 22 Lid 22c, 22d Bolt fastening section 22F Front flange section 23. Cooling water inlet piping (coolant inlet piping) 24 Cooling water discharge piping (cooling liquid discharge piping)

Claims

1. A drive unit located at the rear of a vehicle, comprising a rotating electric machine, a power control device for controlling the power supplied to the rotating electric machine, a case housing the rotating electric machine and the power control device, a coolant introduction pipe connected to the front wall of the case through which coolant for cooling the power control device is introduced, and a coolant discharge pipe connected to the front wall of the case through which the coolant used to cool the power control device is discharged, A cross member is provided in front of the aforementioned drive unit and extends in the vehicle width direction, A support structure for a drive device comprising a mounting bracket connecting the front wall of the case and the cross member, The aforementioned mounting bracket is A housing portion in which a mounting bush connected to the front wall of the case is housed, A member mounting portion connected to the cross member, The housing portion is inclined forward as it extends upward, and has a connecting portion that connects the housing portion and the member mounting portion. The drive unit support structure is characterized in that the coolant introduction pipe and the coolant discharge pipe are located behind the front end of the connecting section and extend from the front wall of the case in a curved manner in the vehicle width direction so as to face the connecting section in the vehicle width direction.

2. The support structure for the drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coolant introduction pipe and the coolant discharge pipe are arranged behind the front end of the housing section.

3. The case comprises a case body having the front wall and a lid attached to the upper end of the case body, with at least a front flange portion provided at its front end. The front flange portion has a pair of bolt fastening portions that are fastened to the case body portion by bolts. Each of the pair of bolt fastening portions has a bulge that extends forward from the front flange portion, The drive support structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the drive device is viewed from above, the connecting portion is positioned so as to be sandwiched between the bulging portion in the vehicle width direction.

Images