Support structure for drive unit

Abstract

To provide a drive unit support structure that allows the connecting section to be efficiently positioned between the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe, thereby improving the flexibility of the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe's placement. [Solution] In the support structure of the drive unit 5, the mount bracket 12 connecting the front wall 8A of the drive case 8 and the cross member 3 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 connects the annular portion 12B and the member mounting portion 12A. The connecting portion 12C is formed so that its dimension in the vehicle width direction is shorter than the dimension of the annular portion 12B in the vehicle width direction, and is positioned between the coolant introduction pipe 23 and the coolant discharge pipe 24 in the vehicle width direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a support device for a driving force transmission device that houses a motor generator, a gear, and a differential device and supports the driving force transmission device to a cross member via a rear mount bracket is known (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The rear mount bracket has a flange portion connected to the cross member, an annular portion (hereinafter referred to as 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 (hereinafter referred to as a connection portion).

[0004] The connection portion is formed such that the dimension in the vehicle width direction gradually increases from the diameter of the annular portion as it goes upward from the annular portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] 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.

[0007] Therefore, when a pipe for circulating the coolant through the driving force transmission device is provided on the front surface (front wall) of the driving force transmission device, the rear mount bracket becomes an obstacle and the degree of freedom in arranging the pipe is reduced.

[0008] In other words, in conventional rear mount brackets, the connecting portion is formed so that its dimensions in the vehicle width direction gradually increase compared to the diameter of the annular portion as it moves upward from the annular portion. As a result, the area occupied by the connecting portion in the vehicle width direction increases, and the connecting portion gets in the way, reducing the freedom of piping placement.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a support structure for a drive device that allows the connecting portion to be efficiently positioned between the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention relates to a drive unit support structure comprising: a drive unit 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; 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 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 connecting the annular portion and the member mounting portion, wherein the dimension of the connecting portion in the vehicle width direction is shorter than the dimension of the annular portion in the vehicle width direction, and is positioned between the coolant introduction pipe and the coolant discharge pipe in the vehicle width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] As described above, according to the present invention, the connecting section can be efficiently positioned between the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe, thereby improving the flexibility of the arrangement of the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [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. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] A drive unit 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, 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 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 connecting the annular portion and the member mounting portion, the dimensions of the connecting portion in the vehicle width direction being shorter than the dimensions of the annular portion in the vehicle width direction, and being positioned between the coolant introduction pipe and the coolant discharge pipe in the vehicle width direction.

[0014] As a result, the support structure of the drive device according to one embodiment of the present invention allows the connecting portion to be efficiently positioned between the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe. [Examples]

[0015] 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 4 are diagrams showing a support structure of a drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] First, the configuration will be described. In Figs. 1 to 4, the up-down, front-back, and left-right directions are based on the drive device in the state of being 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] The left side member 2L and the right side member 2R are arranged at a distance in the vehicle width direction and extend in the front-back direction. The vehicle width direction is the left-right direction.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[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 drive case 8 so as to be above the motor generator, reduction gear, and differential, and extends from the upper front end 8a to the upper rear end 8b in the upper space of the drive case 8.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The inner cylinder 11A is fastened (connected) to the lower part of the front wall 8A of the drive case 8 by bolts 13A, and the mount bush 11 is positioned so that its central axis extends in the front-rear direction.

[0032] 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 3a of the cross member 3 by bolts 13B, 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. In other words, the mount bracket 12 connects the front wall 8A of the drive case 8 to the mount bracket 12.

[0033] 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.

[0034] In other words, the connecting portion 12C is inclined forward as it moves from the annular portion 12B towards the upper member mounting portion 12A.

[0035] 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 12a of the member mounting portion 12A is in contact with the lower surface 3a of the cross member 3.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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 bolts 13C, 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.

[0038] 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 8B of the drive case 8 by a bolt 13D.

[0039] 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 13E, 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 8C of the drive case 8 by bolts 13F.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drive unit 5 is positioned in a forward-tilted state such that the upper front end 8a of the drive case 8 is located below the lower surface 3a of the cross member 3, and the upper rear end 8b is located above the lower surface 3a of the cross member 3.

[0043] In other words, the drive unit 5 is positioned in a forward-tilted state such that the upper front end 8a of the drive case 8 is located lower than the upper rear end 8b.

[0044] 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.

[0045] The bulging portion 9A has an inclined portion 9b and a rear wall portion 9c. The inclined portion 9b faces the upper surface 8c of the drive case 8 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 8c of the drive case 8.

[0046] 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.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, the front wall 8A of the drive case 8 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 8d and 8e formed on the front wall 8A. The front wall 8A of the drive case 8 constitutes the front wall of the case.

[0048] 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.

[0049] The cooling water that has cooled the inverter 6 is discharged from inside the drive case 8 through the cooling water discharge pipe 24.

[0050] 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.

[0051] In this embodiment, the cooling water introduction pipe 23 and the cooling water discharge pipe 24 are provided on the boss portions 8d and 8e of the front wall 8A of the drive case 8, so the length of the cooling water piping can be shortened.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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 12b of the connecting section 12C, and as shown in Figure 4, they bend in the vehicle width direction from the front wall 8A of the drive case 8 and extend in the vehicle width direction so as to face the connecting section 12C in the vehicle width direction.

[0054] In other words, the coolant inlet pipe 23 extends forward from the front wall 8A (boss portion 8d) of the drive case 8, 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 8A (boss portion 8e) of the drive case 8, then bends to the left in the vehicle width direction away from the connecting portion 12C.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4, the connecting section 12C is formed with a dimension W1 in the vehicle width direction that is shorter than the dimension W2 of the annular section 12B in the vehicle width direction, and is positioned between the coolant inlet pipe 23 and the coolant discharge pipe 24 in the vehicle width direction. The dimension W2 of the annular section 12B in the vehicle width direction corresponds to the diameter of the annular section 12B.

[0056] 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 that houses the motor generator and the inverter 6, a cooling water introduction pipe 23 connected to the front wall 8A of the drive case 8 through which cooling water for cooling the inverter 6 is introduced, and a cooling water discharge pipe 24 connected to the front wall 8A of the drive case 8 through which the cooling liquid that has cooled the inverter 6 is discharged.

[0057] Furthermore, 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 mount bracket 12 connecting the drive case 8 and the cross member 3.

[0058] The mount bracket 12 has an annular portion 12B that houses a cylindrical mount bush 11 connected to the front wall 8A of the drive case 8, a member mounting portion 12A connected to the cross member 3, and a connecting portion 12C that connects the annular portion 12B and the member mounting portion 12A.

[0059] The connecting section 12C is formed so that its dimensions in the vehicle width direction are shorter than those of the annular section 12B in the vehicle width direction, and is positioned between the coolant inlet pipe 23 and the coolant discharge pipe 24 in the vehicle width direction.

[0060] This reduces the area occupied by the contact portion 12C with respect to the front wall 8A of the drive case 8, allowing the contact portion 12C to be efficiently positioned between the cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24, thereby improving the flexibility of the arrangement of the cooling water inlet pipe 23 and the cooling water outlet pipe 24.

[0061] Furthermore, according to the support structure of the drive unit 5 in this embodiment, the member mounting portion 12A of the mount bracket 12 is located in front of the annular portion 12B.

[0062] This allows the mounting bracket 12 to be attached to the cross member 3 using bolts 13B while the mounting bracket 12 is attached to the front wall 8A of the drive case 8, while preventing the cooling water introduction pipe 23 and the cooling water discharge pipe 24 from interfering with the tool used to fasten the bolts 13B. As a result, the workability of the installation of the drive unit 5 to the cross member 3 can be improved.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the support structure of the drive unit 5 in this embodiment, the member mounting portion 12A is positioned above the annular portion 12B, thereby suspending the drive unit 5 from the cross member 3.

[0064] The lower surface 3a of the cross member 3 is formed as an inclined surface that slopes downward from the rear to the front.

[0065] The connecting portion 12C is inclined forward from the annular portion 12B towards the upper member mounting portion 12A, and the upper surface 12a of the member mounting portion 12A is in contact with the lower surface of the cross member 3.

[0066] This allows the connecting portion 12C between the member mounting portion 12A and the annular portion 12B to be oriented linearly, so that the upper surface 12a of the member mounting portion 12A can be brought into contact with the lower surface 3a of the cross member 3.

[0067] Therefore, the member mounting portion 12A and the annular portion 12B can be connected by a connecting portion 12C that has a nearly straight shape, and the drive unit 5 and the cross member 3 can be connected by the member mounting portion 12A, the connecting portion 12C, and the annular portion 12B, which have nearly straight shapes.

[0068] As a result, the rigidity of the mounting bracket 12 can be increased, and the support rigidity of the drive unit 5 by the mounting bracket 12 can be improved.

[0069] 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]

[0070] 1 vehicle 3 Cross Member 3a Bottom surface (bottom surface of the cross member) 5. Drive unit 6. Inverter (Power Control Device) 8 Drive Case (Case) 11 Mounting bush 12 Mounting Bracket 12A Member mounting section 12a Top surface (top surface of member mounting area) 12B Annular section 12C Liaison Office 23. Cooling water inlet piping (coolant inlet piping) 24 Cooling water discharge piping (cooling liquid discharge piping)

Claims

1. A drive unit 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 that has cooled 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 An annular portion housing a cylindrical mounting bush connected to the aforementioned case, A member mounting portion connected to the cross member, It has a connecting portion that connects the annular portion and the member mounting portion, The support structure for the drive unit is characterized in that the connecting portion is formed to have a dimension in the vehicle width direction that is shorter than the dimension in the vehicle width direction of the annular portion, and is positioned between the coolant introduction pipe and the coolant discharge pipe in the vehicle width direction.

2. The support structure for the drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that the member mounting portion of the mounting bracket is located in front of the annular portion.

3. The member mounting portion is positioned above the annular portion, so that the drive device is suspended from the cross member. The lower surface of the cross member is formed as an inclined surface that slopes downward from rear to front. The aforementioned connecting portion is inclined forward from the annular portion toward the member mounting portion above, The support structure for the drive device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper surface of the member mounting portion is in contact with the lower surface of the cross member.

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