Support structure for drive unit

Abstract

To provide a drive unit support structure that can absorb the impact applied to the case during a rear-end collision without requiring a large space, thereby protecting the rotating electric machine and power control device from impact, and enabling the miniaturization of the vehicle. [Solution] The support structure of the drive unit 5 includes a mount bracket 12 that connects the drive case 8 and the cross member 3. The mount bracket 12 has an annular portion 12B that houses a cylindrical mount bush 11 connected to the drive case 8. A disc portion 25 is provided between the inner cylinder 11A and the drive case 8 in the front-rear direction, and the radially outer end 25a of the disc portion 25 is located radially outward from the outer cylinder 11B. The disc portion 25 faces the annular portion 12B in the front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, a power unit suspension structure of an electric vehicle that protects vehicle components such as a battery during a collision is known (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] This power unit suspension structure of an electric vehicle has a drive device including a rotating electric machine, a case capable of accommodating the rotating electric machine, and a power conversion device that is arranged on the side opposite to the side where a load is input when the vehicle collides and is arranged in front of or behind the case and can supply power to the rotating electric machine.

[0004] Further, the power unit suspension structure of an electric vehicle includes a support portion provided on the drive device and capable of contacting the vehicle body, and a shock absorption portion provided on the support portion and configured to mitigate shock when the vehicle collides.

[0005] The vehicle body includes a receiving portion that receives an impact from the support portion when the vehicle collides. The receiving portion is arranged at a position facing the support portion. The vehicle has a space portion provided below the receiving portion and capable of retreating the power conversion device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the conventional power unit suspension structure of an electric vehicle, a large retreat space for the power conversion device is required, so it is difficult to miniaturize the vehicle.

[0008] This invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a drive unit support structure that can absorb the impact applied to the case during a rear-end collision of a vehicle without requiring a large space, thereby protecting the rotating electric machine and power control device from impact, and enabling the miniaturization of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to a drive unit having a rotating electric machine, a power control device for controlling the power supplied to the rotating electric machine, and a case housing the rotating electric machine and the power control device; a drive unit support structure comprising 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 an annular portion housing a cylindrical mount bush connected to the case, a member mounting portion connected to the cross member, and a connecting portion that inclins forward as it extends upward from the annular portion and connects the annular portion and the member mounting portion; the mount bush has an outer cylinder fixed to the inner circumference of the annular portion, an inner cylinder connected to the case, and an elastic body connecting the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, wherein a disc portion is provided between the inner cylinder and the case in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the radially outer end of the disc portion is located radially outward from the outer cylinder, and the disc portion faces the annular portion in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As described above, according to the present invention, in the event of a rear-end collision with a vehicle, the impact applied to the case can be absorbed without requiring a large space, protecting the rotating electric machine and power control device from impact, and enabling the miniaturization of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [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. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] A drive support structure according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a drive unit having a rotating electric machine, a power control device for controlling the power supplied to the rotating electric machine, and a case housing the rotating electric machine and the power control device; 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. The mount bracket has an annular portion housing a cylindrical mount bush connected to the case, a member mounting portion connected to the cross member, and a connecting portion that inclins forward as it extends upward from the annular portion and connects the annular portion and the member mounting portion. The mount bush has an outer cylinder fixed to the inner circumference of the annular portion, an inner cylinder connected to the case, and an elastic body connecting the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. A disc portion is provided between the inner cylinder and the case in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the radially outer end of the disc portion is located radially outward from the outer cylinder, and the disc portion faces the annular portion in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0013] As a result, the drive unit support structure according to one embodiment of the present invention can absorb the impact applied to the case during a rear-end collision without requiring a large space, thereby protecting the rotating electric machine and power control device from impact, and enabling the miniaturization of the vehicle. [Examples]

[0014] The following describes a support structure for a drive device according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 5 are diagrams showing a support structure of a drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] First, the configuration will be described. In Figs. 1 to 5, the up-down, front-back, and left-right directions are based on the drive device in the state arranged in the vehicle. The front-back direction of the vehicle is the front-back direction, the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) of the vehicle is the left-right direction, and the up-down direction (height direction) of the vehicle is the up-down direction.

[0016] 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.

[0017] The left side member 2L and the right side member 2R are arranged apart in the vehicle width direction and extend in the front-back direction. The vehicle width direction is the left-right direction.

[0018] 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.

[0019] The 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.

[0020] 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-back direction. That is, the cross member 3 is arranged in front of the drive device 5.

[0021] The drive unit 5 includes a motor generator (not shown) as a rotating electric machine, an inverter 6 (see Figure 3) located above the motor generator and acting as a power control device that controls the power supplied to the motor generator, a reduction gear (not shown) that reduces the driving force (rotational speed) of the motor generator, and a differential device (not shown) that transmits the power of the reduction gear to the left and right rear wheels (not shown) via the left drive shaft 7L and the right drive shaft 7R.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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).

[0029] 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.

[0030] The bolt fastening portions 22c and 22d have bulging portions 22f and 22g that protrude forward from the front flange portion 22F.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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 includes a mounting bush 11 and a mounting bracket 12.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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 mount bush 11 is positioned so that its central axis extends in the front-rear direction. The mount rubber 11C in this embodiment constitutes an elastic body.

[0037] 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 accommodates 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.

[0038] In other words, the mounting bracket 12 connects the front wall 21A of the case body 21 to the cross member 3. In this embodiment, the front wall 21A of the case body 21 constitutes the front wall of the case.

[0039] 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. In other words, the connecting portion 12C is inclined forward as it extends upward from the annular portion 12B.

[0040] The lower surface 3a of the cross member 3 is formed as an inclined surface that slopes downward from rear to front, and the upper surface of the member mounting portion 12A is in contact with the lower surface 3a of the cross member 3.

[0041] A suspension frame 20 is provided in front of the front mounting device 10, and the suspension frame 20 extends in the direction of the vehicle width.

[0042] The suspension frame 20 is located at the same height as the annular portion 12B, and a space 31 in the front-rear direction is formed between the annular portion 12B and the suspension frame 20.

[0043] The suspension frame 20 faces the cross member 3 in the vertical direction, and the suspension frame 20 and the cross member 3 are arranged to overlap in the front-rear direction.

[0044] In other words, the member mounting portion 12A and the suspension frame 20 are opposite each other in the vertical direction, and the member mounting portion 12A and the suspension frame 20 are arranged to overlap in the front-rear direction. The suspension frame 20 in this embodiment constitutes a vehicle body member.

[0045] The drive unit 5 is provided with a disc portion 25. The disc portion 25 is located between the inner cylinder 11A and the front wall 21A of the case body 21 in the front-rear direction, and the disc portion 25 is fixed to the front wall 21A by bolts 13B.

[0046] The radially outer end 25a of the disc portion 25 is located radially outward from the outer cylinder 11B, and the disc portion 25 faces the annular portion 12B in the front-rear direction.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] The front flange portion 22F faces the connecting portion 12C in the front-rear direction, and a gap in the front-rear direction is formed between the front flange portion 22F and the connecting portion 12C.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, the front flange portion 22F is positioned forward of a first virtual vertical plane L1 that crosses the connection between the mount bush 11 and the front wall 21A of the case body portion 21 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the first virtual vertical plane L1 constitutes a virtual plane.

[0061] In the connecting portion 12C, the virtual inclined plane L2 passing through the rear end portion 12a of the connecting portion 12C is inclined by an angle θ1 with respect to the first virtual vertical plane L1, and a gap is formed between the front flange portion 22F and the rear end portion 12a of the connecting portion 12C.

[0062] The drive unit 5 is tilted forward such that a second virtual inclined plane L4, which is perpendicular to the upper surface 22e of the lid 22, has an angle θ2 with respect to a second virtual vertical plane L3 that passes vertically through the center of gravity O of the drive unit 5. In other words, the second virtual inclined plane L4, which is perpendicular to the upper surface 22e of the lid 22, i.e., the upper surface 22e of the drive case 8, and passes through the center of gravity O of the drive unit 5, is tilted forward by an angle θ2 with respect to the second virtual vertical plane L3.

[0063] The inclination angle θ1 of the first virtual inclined plane L2 relative to the first virtual vertical plane L1 is greater than the inclination angle θ2 of the second virtual inclined plane L4 relative to the second virtual vertical plane L3.

[0064] In this embodiment, the drive unit 5 is positioned in a forward-tilting state such that the upper front end 22a of the lid 22 is located below the upper rear end 22b. This eliminates the need to extend the front flange portion 22F far forward from the upper front end 22a of the lid 22, allowing the front flange portion 22F to be positioned forward with respect to the first virtual vertical plane L1.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] The cooling water that has cooled the inverter 6 is discharged from inside the drive case 8 through the cooling water discharge pipe 24.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] The cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24 are located behind the front end 12b 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] Furthermore, the cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24 are positioned behind the front end 12c 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 12b of the connecting section 12C and the front end 12c of the annular section 12B).

[0073] In other words, the mounting bracket 12 is positioned such that the front end 12b of the connecting portion 12C and the front end 12c of the annular portion 12B are located in front of the cooling water introduction pipe 23 and the cooling water discharge pipe 24.

[0074] 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.

[0075] Furthermore, the cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24 are positioned outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the bolt fastening portions 22c and 22d, and face the connecting portion 12C in the vehicle width direction, with the bolt fastening portions 22c and 22d in between.

[0076] 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 includes a drive unit 5 having a motor generator, an inverter 6 that controls the power supplied to the motor generator, and a drive case 8 that houses the motor generator and the inverter 6; a cross member 3 provided in front of the drive unit 5 and extending in the vehicle width direction; and a mount bracket 12 that connects the front wall 21A of the case body portion 21 of the drive case 8 and the cross member 3.

[0077] The mount bracket 12 has an annular portion 12B that houses a cylindrical mount bush 11 connected to the drive case 8, a member mounting portion 12A connected to the cross member 3, and a connecting portion 12C that inclines forward as it extends upward from the annular portion 12B and connects the annular portion 12B and the member mounting portion 12A.

[0078] The mount bush 11 has an outer cylinder 11B fixed to the inner circumference of the annular portion 12B, an inner cylinder 11A connected to the drive case 8, and a mount rubber 11C connecting the outer cylinder 11B and the inner cylinder 11A.

[0079] 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 rotates forward (in the R1 direction) around the center of gravity O, and the upper front end portion 22a moves toward the connecting portion 12C.

[0080] In the drive unit 5, the inclination angle θ1 of the first virtual inclined plane L2 with respect to the first virtual vertical plane L1 is larger than the inclination angle θ2 of the second virtual inclined plane L4 with respect to the second virtual vertical plane L3, so a large space can be created between the front flange portion 22F and the rear end portion 12a of the connecting portion 12C.

[0081] Therefore, when the impact load applied to the drive unit 5 from the rear during a rear-end collision of vehicle 1 is small, the drive unit 5 rotates forward (in the R1 direction) around the center of gravity O within the space between the front flange portion 22F and the rear end portion 12a of the connecting portion 12C, thereby avoiding the front wall 21A of the case body portion 21 colliding with the connecting portion 12C.

[0082] On the other hand, if the impact load applied to the drive unit 5 from the rear during a rear-end collision of vehicle 1 is large, the drive unit 5 rotates forward (in the R1 direction) around the center of gravity O to eliminate the space between the front flange portion 22F and the rear end portion 12a of the connecting portion 12C.

[0083] At this time, the front flange portion 22F collides with the connecting portion 12C, suppressing further forward rotation of the drive unit 5. The front flange portion 22F is provided with bolt fastening portions 22c and 22d and is a highly rigid part of the drive case 8. Therefore, by causing the front flange portion 22F to first collide with the connecting portion 12C, further forward rotation of the drive unit 5 can be effectively suppressed.

[0084] Furthermore, the front flange portion 22F extends forward from the upper front end portion 22a of the lid portion 22, and the inverter 6 is positioned on the upper part of the case body portion 21. Therefore, the collision of the front flange portion 22F with the connecting portion 12C can prevent the front wall 21A from colliding with the connecting portion 12C.

[0085] As a result, the inverter 6 and motor generator housed in the case body 21 can be protected from collisions.

[0086] Furthermore, according to the support structure of the drive unit 5 of this embodiment, the front flange portion 22F has a pair of bolt fastening portions 22c and 22d provided on the front flange portion 22F and fastened to the case body portion 21 by bolts.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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 bulging portions 22f and 22g can come 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.

[0089] Therefore, the coolant inlet pipe 23 and the coolant outlet pipe 24, which are provided on the outward side 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, the coolant outlet pipe 24, and the boss portions 21a and 21b can be protected from collisions.

[0090] On the other hand, if an even larger impact load is applied to the drive unit 5 from the rear, the drive unit 5 will move further forward.

[0091] According to the support structure of the drive unit 5 in this embodiment, a disc portion 25 is provided between the inner cylinder 11A and the case body portion 21 in the front-rear direction.

[0092] The radially outer end 25a of the disc portion 25 is located radially outward from the outer cylinder 11B, and the disc portion 25 faces the annular portion 12B in the front-rear direction.

[0093] As a result, when a larger impact load is applied to the drive case 8 from the rear during a rear-end collision of vehicle 1, the disc portion 25 comes into contact with the annular portion 12B of the mount bracket 12, pushing the annular portion 12B forward.

[0094] The mounting bracket 12 has a long connecting portion 12C that extends from the member mounting portion 12A to the annular portion 12B, and since the member mounting portion 12A is fastened to the cross member 3, the member mounting portion 12A breaks due to the impact when the disc portion 25 pushes the annular portion 12B forward.

[0095] This allows the impact applied to the drive case 8 during a rear-end collision of vehicle 1 to be absorbed without requiring a large space, protecting the motor generator and inverter 6 from impact, and enabling a smaller vehicle 1.

[0096] Furthermore, according to the support structure of the drive unit 5 of this embodiment, a suspension frame 20 extending in the vehicle width direction is positioned in front of the drive unit 5, and the suspension frame 20 is located at the same height as the annular portion 12B, forming a space 31 in the front-rear direction between the annular portion 12B and the suspension frame 20.

[0097] As a result, when the member mounting portion 12A breaks, the upper front end portion 22a of the tilted drive case 8 moves forward while tilting downward, allowing the annular portion 12B attached to the front of the drive case 8 to be retracted into the front-rear space 31 between the annular portion 12B and the suspension frame 20.

[0098] Therefore, the shock applied to the drive case 8 can be absorbed more effectively, and the motor generator and inverter 6 can be protected more effectively from shock.

[0099] Furthermore, according to the support structure of the drive unit 5 in this embodiment, the member mounting portion 12A and the suspension frame 20 are facing each other in the vertical direction.

[0100] This restricts the forward movement of the annular portion 12B by bringing it into contact with the hollow suspension frame 20 as it moves forward, and also allows for more effective absorption of the impact applied to the drive case 8 due to the deformation of the suspension frame 20.

[0101] Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to secure a dedicated, large space for the drive unit 5 to retract in the event of a rear-end collision with vehicle 1, and vehicle 1 can be made more compact.

[0102] 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]

[0103] 1 vehicle 3 Cross Member 5. Drive unit 6. Inverter (Power Control Device) 8 Drive Case (Case) 11 Mounting bush 11A inner cylinder 11B Outer Tube 11C Mounting Rubber (Elastic Material) 12 Mounting Bracket 12A Member mounting section 12B Annular section 12C Liaison Office 20. Suspension frame (vehicle body component) 21A Front wall (front wall of the case) 25. Disc section 25a Radial outer end 31 Space (the space in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the annular section and the vehicle body members)

Claims

1. A drive device having a rotating electric machine, a power control device for controlling the power supplied to the rotating electric machine, and a case for housing the rotating electric machine and the power control device, 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 An annular portion housing a cylindrical mounting bush connected to the aforementioned case, A member mounting portion connected to the cross member, The annular portion is inclined forward as it extends upward, and has a connecting portion that connects the annular portion and the member mounting portion. The mounting bush comprises an outer cylinder fixed to the inner circumference of the annular portion, an inner cylinder connected to the case, and an elastic body connecting the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. A disc portion is provided between the inner cylinder and the case in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The radially outer end of the disc portion is located radially outward from the outer cylinder. The drive unit support structure is characterized in that the disc portion faces the annular portion in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

2. A vehicle body member extending in the vehicle width direction is positioned in front of the aforementioned drive unit. The support structure for a drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle body member is located at the same height as the annular portion, and a space is formed between the annular portion and the vehicle body member in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

3. The drive support structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the member mounting portion and the vehicle body member are facing each other in the vertical direction.

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