Vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device

Abstract

The present invention provides a simple vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device that prevents the service cover from being removed using common tools. [Solution] The high-voltage protection component mounting device includes a bolt 90 that fastens the service cover 88 to the side of the case body 18b, and a lock striker 96 that is mounted in a lock hole 98 of the service cover 88 in a manner that prevents removal by anything other than a special tool ST. At least a portion of the lock striker 96 is located in a range that interferes with a rotary operating tool TC that attempts to engage with the bolt 90. As a result, the lock striker 96 is mounted on the service cover 88 in a manner that prevents rotation around the axis C1 by at least a predetermined amount, and the rotary operating tool TC attempts to engage with the bolt 90, which interferes with engagement, preventing the bolt 90 from being removed. Therefore, the service cover 88 cannot be removed using a general rotary operating tool TC.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-voltage protection component mounting device for a vehicle, which mounts a protection component that covers a high-voltage component of the vehicle so as not to expose the high-voltage component in order to protect it from the high-voltage component of the vehicle, and cannot be removed by an operation using a general tool.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in vehicles using an electric motor as a drive source, such as hybrid vehicles (HEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV), high-voltage components such as busbars for supplying power from an inverter to the electric motor are used. This high-voltage component is housed in a case that houses a power control unit (PCU) or an electric motor. A service hole is provided in the case to allow access by an operator. A service cover is attached to the service hole as a high-voltage protection component that covers the high-voltage component so as not to expose it in order to protect it from the high-voltage component of the vehicle. For example, the housing of the power control device described in Patent Document 1 is such a case.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the housing that houses the inverter is fixed on the transaxle case that houses the electric motor, the service hole formed on the side surface of the housing is covered with a service cover, and the service cover is fixed by a general bolt.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, in Patent Document 1, a service plug is provided protruding from the back surface of the service cover. When the tip of the service plug is inserted into the plug receiving section on the housing side, power to the power control unit (PCU) is permitted. However, when the service cover is removed and the tip of the service plug is withdrawn from the plug receiving section, power from the power control unit is prohibited, thereby protecting the worker from high voltage.

[0006] On the underside of such a service cover, a service plug and several plate-like ribs are provided. When the service cover is installed, the plate-like ribs contact the upper and lower inner walls of the service hole to position the service cover. As a result, the service plug is guided by the plate-like ribs, and the service plug can be easily inserted into the plug receiving section.

[0007] However, since the service cover is secured to the side of the housing with standard bolts, it can be removed using ordinary tools. Therefore, there was a risk that the mounting of high-voltage components could be altered if the service cover was removed by someone other than a dealer or other authorized technician.

[0008] The present invention was made against the above circumstances, and its objective is to provide a vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device with a simple structure that prevents the service cover from being removed using common tools. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The gist of the first invention is a high-voltage protection component mounting device for a vehicle comprising (a) a service hole formed in a case housing a high-voltage power control device or electric motor, and a high-voltage protection component arranged to cover the service hole, the device comprising (b) a bolt for fastening the high-voltage protection component to the case, and (c) a locking device fitted into a locking hole of the high-voltage protection component in a manner that prevents removal by means other than a special tool, and (d) the locking device being positioned in a range that interferes with a rotary operating tool that attempts to engage with the bolt. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the first invention, a locking device is mounted on a high-voltage protection component in such a way that it cannot rotate around its axis by at least a predetermined amount. When a rotary tool attempts to engage a bolt with the locking device, it interferes with the locking device, preventing engagement and thus preventing the bolt from being removed by the rotary tool. As a result, the high-voltage protection component cannot be removed using a general rotary tool. Furthermore, the locking device can be mounted on the high-voltage protection component using a simple structure, thus protecting it from the high-voltage component.

[0011] The gist of the second invention is that, in the first invention, the locking device comprises a bottomed cylindrical body having an engaging vane protruding outward from the body and a plurality of insertion pieces that protrude axially from the opening edge of the central hole in the bottom wall of the body, each having an inwardly facing projection; an operating member having a disc-shaped portion that fits into the opening of the body and a shaft portion that protrudes from the center of the disc-shaped portion through the opening in the bottom wall, beyond the inwardly facing projection of the insertion piece; an annular groove formed between a first tapered portion and a second tapered portion formed sequentially from the tip of the shaft portion, into which the inwardly facing projection of the insertion piece is fitted; an operating member side cam projection formed on the bottom wall side of the disc-shaped portion; and a body side cam projection formed on the disc-shaped portion side of the bottom wall. As a result, when the operating member is inserted into the lock hole formed in the high-voltage protection component and pushed into the main body to reach the locked position, the disc-shaped portion of the operating member is embedded in the main body, and at the same time, multiple insertion pieces are expanded by the second tapered portion within the lock hole, fixing them in place. However, when the operating member is rotated around its axis using a special tool, and the cam projection on the operating member side and the cam projection on the main body side come into sliding contact, causing the operating member to return from the locked position, the inwardly facing protrusions of the insertion pieces are returned to the annular groove, and the multiple insertion pieces are reduced in diameter, releasing them from being fixed to the lock hole.

[0012] The gist of the third invention is that, in the second invention, the lock hole is formed in a position where, when the locking device is fixed in the lock hole, the body of the locking device or the engaging vane interferes with the rotary tool that attempts to engage with the bolt. As a result, the high-voltage protection component cannot be removed using a general rotary tool.

[0013] The gist of the fourth invention is that, in the second invention, the high-voltage protection component is provided with an engaging piece that interferes with the engaging vane protruding from the body of the locking device. As a result, even if the locking device fixed to the locking hole is to be rotated around the axis of the body, the engaging piece provided on the high-voltage protection component interferes with the engaging vane protruding from the body of the locking device, thereby preventing the locking device from rotating around its axis.

[0014] The gist of the fifth invention is that, in the fourth invention, a gap is formed between the inclined plate portion on which the engaging piece of the high-voltage protection component is formed and the case. This eliminates the need to form holes through the case for inserting the multiple insertion pieces and shaft portion of the locking device, thus eliminating restrictions on the installation location and allowing the case to be made smaller compared to the case in which the holes are formed through the case. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates the main part of a mechatronic unit of an electric vehicle to which the high-voltage protection component mounting device of the present invention is applied, showing the unit with the service cover removed. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates an example of the electrical configuration involved in the drive control of the electric vehicle shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the service cover attached to the electromechanical unit. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the lock striker, where (a) shows the unlocked state and (b) shows the locked state. [Figure 5]This is a perspective view showing the specialized tool integrated with the service plug. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the mechanism for preventing removal by general tools in the high-voltage protection component mounting device of the present invention, where (a) shows the case where the general tool is a box wrench, and (b) shows the case where the general tool is a spanner. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Examples]

[0017] Figure 1 shows an example of a drive unit 10 for an electric vehicle. The case 18 of the drive unit 10 comprises a case body 18b having openings to the left, right, and upward, a cover 18c that closes the left opening of the case body 18b, a protective plate 18d that closes the upper opening of the case body 18b, and a cylindrical housing that accommodates a differential mechanism (not shown). The housing (not shown) is connected to the right opening of the case body 18b, and an engine (not shown) is further connected to that housing. These power split mechanism, housing, and engine are hidden by the case 18 and are not shown in Figure 1. The first axis CL1 in Figure 1 coincides with the rotation axis of the sun gear of the power split mechanism, the crankshaft of the engine, and the first electric motor MG1.

[0018] The case body 18b has a partition wall (not shown) inside, and is divided by the partition wall into two spaces, a lower space A which is a space in the lower part in the vertical direction and an upper space B which is a space in the upper part in the vertical direction. In the lower space A, there are a first motor MG1 connected to the engine via a power split mechanism, a second motor MG2 that rotates around a third axis CL3 parallel to the first axis CL1, a counter drive gear 28 that meshes with the ring gear 26a of the power split mechanism and the output gear 36 of the second motor MG2, a counter shaft 30 that rotates around a second axis CL2 parallel to the first axis CL1, a ring gear 34a that meshes with the counter drive gear 32 of the counter shaft 30, and a differential gear mechanism 40 that rotates around a fourth axis CL4 parallel to the first axis CL1. The differential gear mechanism 40 transmits power to a pair of left and right drive wheels (for example, front wheels or rear wheels) via a pair of left and right drive shafts (not shown).

[0019] In the upper space B, an inverter 62 and the like are accommodated. High-voltage power is supplied from the inverter 62 to the first motor MG1 and the second motor MG2 via a bus bar 68, a terminal block 82, and an MG bus bar 84. A longitudinal service hole 86 is formed through the side surface of the case body 18b for an operator to perform maintenance from the outside for the bus bar 68, the longitudinal terminal block 82, and the MG bus bar 84. The service hole 86 exposes high-voltage members such as the terminal block 82, the bus bar 68 connected to the terminal block 82, and the MG bus bar 84.

[0020] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of an electrical configuration related to the control of the first motor MG1 and the second motor MG2. The electric vehicle further includes a high-voltage battery 50, an accessory battery 52, a power control unit 54, etc. regarding the control of the first motor MG1 and the second motor MG2.

[0021] The high-voltage battery 50 is a rechargeable secondary battery, such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. The high-voltage battery 50 is connected to the power control unit 54. The stored power from the high-voltage battery 50 is supplied to, for example, the second motor MG2 via the power control unit 54. In addition, the high-voltage battery 50 is supplied with power from the power generation control of the first motor MG1 and power from the regenerative control of the second motor MG2 via the power control unit 54. The high-voltage battery 50 is equipped with a connector (not shown) to which a service plug SP, described later, is connected. When the service plug SP is removed, the power control unit 54 is disconnected from the high voltage.

[0022] The power control unit 54 includes a DC-DC converter 56, an electric motor control device 58, a boost converter 60, and an inverter 62. The power control unit 54 is a power control device that controls the power exchanged between the high-voltage battery 50 and the electric motor MG. In other words, the power control unit 54 is a power control device that controls the first electric motor MG1 and the second electric motor MG2.

[0023] The DC-DC converter 56 is connected between the high-voltage battery 50 and the inverter 62. The DC-DC converter 56 functions as a charging device that steps down the voltage of the high-voltage battery 50 (for example, several tens of volts) to a voltage equivalent to that of the auxiliary battery 52 (for example, 12V) to charge the auxiliary battery 52. ​​The auxiliary battery 52 supplies power to operate the auxiliary equipment, motor control device 58, and electronic control device 70 (described later) provided in the electric vehicle.

[0024] The boost converter 60 includes reactors and switching elements (not shown). The boost converter 60 is a circuit that has the function of boosting the voltage of the high-voltage battery 50 to a higher voltage (several hundred volts) and supplying it to the inverter 62, and the function of stepping down the voltage converted to DC by the inverter 62 and supplying it to the high-voltage battery 50. The inverter 62, the first motor MG1, and the second motor MG2 are components that operate at high voltage.

[0025] The inverter 62 includes an MG1 power module 64, an MG2 power module 66, and the like. The MG1 power module 64 and the MG2 power module 66 each contain multiple transistors that convert DC current to AC current by being driven on and off as switching elements. The electric vehicle is equipped with busbars 68 and MG busbars 84 as power lines, to which the electric motor MG is connected at one end and the inverter 62 is connected at the other end. Busbar 68 is connected to the MG busbars 84, which are connected to the first electric motor MG1 and the second electric motor MG2, via a terminal block 82.

[0026] The inverter 62 converts the DC current from the boost converter 60 into AC current to drive the first motor MG1 and the second motor MG2. The inverter 62 converts the AC current generated by the first motor MG1 using engine power and the AC current generated by the second motor MG2 using regenerative braking into DC current. The inverter 62 supplies the AC current generated by the first motor MG1 as power to drive the second motor MG2, according to the driving conditions. The first motor MG1 and the second motor MG2 are AC synchronous motors.

[0027] The electric vehicle is further equipped with an electronic control unit 70, a communication line 71, and the like. The electronic control unit 70 transmits and receives signals to and from the DC-DC converter 56, the motor control unit 58, and the like via the communication line 71. The electronic control unit 70 performs various controls on the electric vehicle based on signals from, for example, sensors (not shown). The motor control unit 58 controls the boost converter 60 and the inverter 62 based on commands from the electronic control unit 70, and controls the first motor MG1 and the second motor MG2.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, a long plate-shaped high-voltage protection component (hereinafter referred to as a service cover) 88 that covers the service hole 86 is attached to the side of the case body 18b by two bolts 90. The service cover 88 functions as a high-voltage protection component. The service cover 88 has a long, curved protrusion 91 in the central part corresponding to the service hole 86 that bulges outward, a long, curved reinforcing portion 92 with its widthwise edge bent outward, and bolt holes 94 that penetrate through both ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0029] Furthermore, one end of the service cover 88 is provided with an inclined plate portion 100 having a locking hole 98 (see Figure 6) for attaching a locking device (hereinafter referred to as a lock striker) 96. The inclined plate portion 100 is inclined so that the shaft portion 108 of the lock striker 96 is separated from the side surface of the case body 18b, forming a gap S. The bolt 90 and the lock striker 96 constitute a high-voltage protection component mounting device for attaching the service cover 88, which is a high-voltage protection component.

[0030] Figure 4(a) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the unlocked state in which the lock striker 96 can be inserted into or removed from the lock hole 98, and Figure 4(b) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the locked state in which the lock striker 96 is fixed in the lock hole 98. A central engagement hole 106a and an engagement projection 106b are formed on the surface of the disc-shaped portion 106 of the lock striker 96. The lock striker 96 can be removed from the lock hole 98 using a special tool (lock striker release key) ST by utilizing the central engagement hole 106a and the engagement projection 106b.

[0031] Figure 5 shows a dedicated tool ST integrated with the service plug SP. In addition to the service plug SP, the dedicated tool ST is provided with a mating projection 72 and a mating hole 74 that engage with the central engagement hole 106a and engagement projection 106b of the lock striker 96, and an operating lever 76. When performing service work to remove the service cover 88 and access the high-voltage components inside the service hole 86, the service plug SP is removed from the connector of the high-voltage battery 50, and high-voltage components such as the busbar 68, terminal block 82, and MG busbar 84 are disconnected from the high voltage. Next, the mating projection 72 and mating hole 74 of the dedicated tool ST integrated with the service plug SP are fitted into the central engagement hole 106a and engagement projection 106b of the lock striker 96, and when rotated around the central engagement hole 106a using the operating lever 76, the operating member 110 of the lock striker 96 is rotated relative to the main body 104. This changes the state from that shown in Figure 4(b) to that shown in Figure 4(a), making it possible to remove the lock striker 96.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the Rockstrike 96 comprises a bottomed cylindrical body 104 having a bottom wall 102 with a central hole 101, and an operating member 110 integrally having a disc-shaped portion 106 that fits into an opening at the upper end of the body 104 and a shaft portion 108 that protrudes through the central hole 101 of the bottom wall 102. The operating member 110 is fitted into the body 104 so as to be rotatable around its axis C1. The body 104 is integrally provided with a pair of engaging vanes 112 that protrude symmetrically outward from its base end, and a plurality of longitudinal insertion pieces 114 having an inwardly facing projection 120 at their tip and protruding in the direction of the axis C1 from the opening edge of the central hole 101 formed in the bottom wall 102 of the body 104. The body 104 and the operating member 110 are each molded from synthetic resin. The multiple elongated insertion pieces 114 surround the shaft portion 108, forming a cylindrical shape overall.

[0033] The shaft portion 108 of the operating member 110 has a first tapered portion 116 and a second tapered portion 118 formed in order from the tip of the shaft portion 108. Between the first tapered portion 116 and the second tapered portion 118, there is a first annular groove 122 into which the inwardly facing projection 120 of the insertion piece 114 is fitted. In addition, the shaft portion 108 has a second annular groove 124, which is shallower than the first annular groove 122, formed adjacent to the disc-shaped portion 106 side of the second tapered portion 118.

[0034] On the back surface of the disc-shaped portion 106 of the operating member 110, an operating member-side cam projection 126 and an operating member-side stopper 128 are provided. Additionally, on the bottom wall 102 of the main body 104, a main body-side cam projection 130 and a main body-side stopper 132 are provided, projecting toward the disc-shaped portion 106. The operating member-side stopper 128 and the main body-side stopper 132 come into contact with each other when the disc-shaped portion 106 of the operating member 110 is pushed into the main body 104, positioning the disc-shaped portion 106 at a locked position, a predetermined value, for example, 0.1 mm, from the upper end opening of the main body 104. In this state, multiple insertion pieces 114 are expanded in diameter by the second tapered portion 118 within the lock hole 98, and the lock striker 96 is fixed in the lock hole 98. Figure 4(b) shows this state.

[0035] The cam projection 126 on the operating member side and the cam projection 130 on the main body side are each provided with an inclined cam surface 126a and an inclined cam surface 130a, respectively. When the disc-shaped portion 106 is rotated around the axis C1 using the special tool ST shown in Figure 5, the inclined cam surface 126a of the cam projection 126 on the operating member side and the inclined cam surface 130a of the cam projection 130 on the main body side slide against each other, causing the disc-shaped portion 106 of the operating member 110 to protrude from the upper end opening of the main body 104, and at the same time, the multiple insertion pieces 114 are reduced in diameter within the lock hole 98, allowing the lock striker 96 to be detached from the lock hole 98. Figure 4(a) shows this state.

[0036] As a result, when the operating member 110 is inserted into the lock hole 98 formed in the inclined plate portion 100 of the service cover 88 and pushed into the main body 104 to reach the locked position, the disc-shaped portion 106 of the operating member 110 is embedded in the main body 104, and at the same time, the second tapered portion 118 expands the diameter of the multiple insertion pieces 114 within the lock hole 98, thereby fixing them in place. However, when the operating member 110 is rotated around the axis C1 of the main body 104 using a special tool ST, the cam projection 126 on the operating member side and the cam projection 130 on the main body side come into sliding contact, and the operating member 110 is returned from the pushed-in position. At this point, the inward-facing protrusions of the insertion pieces 114 are returned into the first annular groove 122, and the entire set of multiple insertion pieces 114 is reduced in diameter, thereby releasing them from the lock hole 98.

[0037] Figure 6 shows the lock striker 96 fixed to a lock hole 98 formed in the inclined plate portion 100 of the service cover 88. A pair of curved engaging pieces 88a and 88b are formed on the edge of the inclined plate portion 100 of the service cover 88, which engage with the engaging vanes 112 of the lock striker 96 fixed to the lock hole 98 to prevent the rotation of the lock striker 96. The lock hole 98 is also formed in a position where the engaging vanes 112 or the body 104 of the lock striker 96 interfere with the bolt 90 used to attach the service cover 88, thereby preventing the operation of the general rotary operating tool TC of the bolt 90.

[0038] In Figure 6(a), a cylindrical socket wrench is shown as a typical rotary tool TC, and the locking hole 98 is positioned so that the engaging vane 112 or the main body 104 of the lock striker 96 interferes with the spatial region SP! indicated by the dashed line of the socket wrench that engages with the head of the bolt 90. In Figure 6(b), a spanner is shown as a typical rotary tool TC, and the locking hole 98 is positioned so that the engaging vane 112 of the lock striker 96 fits into the rotational spatial region of the head of the bolt 90, or the spatial region of rotational operation of the spanner engaged with the head of the bolt 90. The same applies when a box-end wrench is used instead of a spanner.

[0039] As described above, the vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device of this embodiment includes a bolt 90 that fastens the service cover 88 to the side of the case body 18b, and a lock striker 96 that is mounted in a lock hole 98 of the service cover 88 in a manner that prevents removal by anything other than a special tool ST. At least a portion of the lock striker 96 is located in a range that interferes with a rotary operating tool TC that attempts to engage with the bolt 90. As a result, the rotary operating tool TC attempts to engage with the bolt 90 and interferes with the lock striker 96, which is mounted on the service cover 88 in a manner that prevents rotation around the axis C1 by at least a predetermined amount, thus hindering engagement and preventing the removal of the bolt 90 by the rotary operating tool TC. Therefore, the service cover 88 cannot be removed using a general rotary operating tool TC. Furthermore, protection from high-voltage components can be achieved using a simple structure in which the lock striker 96 is mounted on the service cover 88.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device of this embodiment, the rock striker 96 has a bottomed cylindrical body 104 having engaging fins 112 protruding outward from the body 104 and an inwardly facing projection 120, and a plurality of insertion pieces 114 protruding in the direction of the axis C1 from the opening edge of the central hole 101 of the bottom wall 102 of the body 104, and a disc-shaped portion 106 that is fitted into the opening of the body 104, and from the center of the disc-shaped portion 106 through the opening of the bottom wall 102 The device comprises an operating member 110 having a shaft portion 108 that protrudes beyond the inwardly facing projection 120 of the insertion piece 114, a first annular groove 122 formed between a first tapered portion 116 and a second tapered portion 118 formed sequentially from the tip of the shaft portion 108 to which the inwardly facing projection 120 of the insertion piece 114 is fitted, an operating member side cam projection 126 formed on the bottom wall 102 side of the disc-shaped portion 106, and a main body side cam projection 130 formed on the disc-shaped portion 106 side of the bottom wall 102. As a result, when the operating member 110 is inserted into the lock hole 98 formed in the service cover 88 and pushed into the main body 104 to reach the locked position, the disc-shaped portion 106 of the operating member 110 is embedded in the main body 104, and at the same time, the multiple insertion pieces 114 are expanded by the second tapered portion 118 within the lock hole 98, thereby fixing them in place. However, when the operating member 110 is rotated around the axis C1 using a special tool ST, and the cam projection 126 on the operating member side and the cam projection 130 on the main body side come into sliding contact, causing the operating member 110 to return from the locked position, the inward-facing protrusions 120 of the insertion pieces 114 are returned into the first annular groove 122, causing the multiple insertion pieces 114 to shrink in diameter, thereby releasing them from the lock hole 98.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device of this embodiment, the lock hole 98 is formed in the service cover 88 at a position where, when the lock striker 96, which is a locking fastener, is fixed in the lock hole 98, the body 104 of the lock striker 96 or the engaging vane 112 protruding from the body 104 interferes with a general rotary tool TC that attempts to engage with the bolt 90. As a result, the service cover 88 cannot be removed using a general rotary tool TC.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device of this embodiment, the service cover 88 is provided with engaging pieces 88a and 88b that interfere with the engaging vanes 112 protruding from the body 104 of the lock striker 96. As a result, even if the lock striker 96 fixed in the lock hole 98 attempts to rotate around the axis C1 of the body 104, the engaging pieces 88a and 88b provided on the service cover 88 interfere with the engaging vanes 112 protruding from the body 104 of the lock striker 96, thereby preventing the lock striker 96 from rotating around the axis C1 of its body 104.

[0043] Furthermore, in the vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device of this embodiment, a gap S is formed between the inclined plate portion 100 on which the engaging pieces 88a and 88b of the service cover 88 are formed and the side surface of the case body 18b. As a result, it is not necessary to form holes through the case body 18b for inserting the multiple insertion pieces 114 and shaft portion 108 of the lock striker 96, there are no restrictions on the installation location, and the size of the case 18 can be reduced compared to when the holes are formed through the case 18.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device of this embodiment, the dedicated tool ST is equipped with a detachable service plug SP positioned between the power control unit 54 and the high-voltage battery 50. As a result, prior to service work in which the dedicated tool ST is engaged with the disc-shaped portion 106 of the operating member 110 and rotated, the service plug SP is removed from the dedicated tool ST, thereby disconnecting the power control unit 54 and the electric motor MG from the high-voltage battery 50.

[0045] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is also applicable to other embodiments.

[0046] For example, in the above embodiment, the lock striker 96 shown in Figure 3-6 was used as a locking device to be fixed to the lock hole 98 of the service cover 88, but other configurations are also acceptable. In short, any device that can only be removed from the lock hole 98 with a special tool ST is acceptable.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the service cover 88 was formed as a plate-like shape with a horizontal elongation, but it may have other shapes.

[0048] In the mounted configuration of the electric vehicle, the positions of the first axle CL1, second axle CL2, third axle CL3, and fourth axle CL4 may be arranged in the order of first motor MG1, counter shaft 30, differential gear 34, and second motor MG2 from rear to front in the forward and backward direction. Furthermore, the first motor MG1 and second motor MG2 and the power control unit 54 may each be housed in separate cases. Also, the power control unit 54 does not necessarily have to be located at the top of the case 18 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, although the first motor MG1 and second motor MG2 and the power control unit 54 were housed in separate spaces separated by a partition wall within the case 18, they may also be housed in the same space without a partition wall.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the electric vehicle may be an electric vehicle equipped with a drive motor MG. The main difference between this electric vehicle and the electric vehicle of the above-described embodiment is that it does not have, for example, the components around the first axis CL1 (engine, transmission unit including the first motor MG1). Also, in this electric vehicle, the first motor MG1 is omitted, and the second motor MG2 functions as the electric vehicle's motor MG. Alternatively, the electric vehicle may be a series hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine, a drive motor MG that functions as a power source, and a power supply motor MG that is connected to the engine in a way that it can transmit power and generates electricity using the engine's power. In such a series hybrid vehicle, the power transmission path between the engine and the drive wheels may be interrupted or connected by the operation of a clutch. Alternatively, the electric vehicle may be a parallel hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine, a power transmission device that transmits power from the engine to the drive wheels, and an electric motor MG to which power is transmitted to the drive wheels via the power transmission device.

[0050] It should be noted that the above-described embodiment is merely one example, and the present invention can be implemented in various modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 18: Case, 54: Power control unit (power control device), 86: Service hole, 88: Service cover (high voltage protection component), 88a, 88b: Engaging piece, 90: Bolt (high voltage protection component mounting device), 96: Lock striker (locking device, high voltage protection component mounting device), 98: Lock hole, 100: Inclined plate section, 101: Center hole, 102: Bottom wall, 104: Main body, 106: Disc-shaped section, 108: 110: Shaft section, 112: Operating member, 114: Insertion piece, 116: First tapered section, 118: Second tapered section, 120: Inwardly facing projection, 122: First annular groove (annular groove), 126: Cam projection on the operating member side, 130: Cam projection on the main body side, C1: Center of the shaft, MG1: First motor (motor), MG2: Second motor (motor), S: Gap, ST: Special tool (lock striker release key), TC: Rotary operating tool

Claims

1. A vehicle mounting device for a high-voltage protection component, comprising a service hole formed in a case housing a high-voltage power control device or electric motor, and a high-voltage protection component positioned to cover the service hole, Bolts for fastening the high-voltage protection component to the case, The locking device is fitted into the locking hole of the high-voltage protection component in a manner that prevents removal by any means other than a special tool. The locking device is located in a range that interferes with the rotary tool that attempts to engage with the bolt. A vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device characterized by the following features.

2. The locking device is The bottomed cylindrical body has engaging fins that protrude outward from the main body and inwardly facing protrusions, and a plurality of insertion pieces that protrude axially from the opening edge of the central hole in the bottom wall of the main body, An operating member having a disc-shaped portion that fits into the opening of the main body, and a shaft portion that protrudes from the center of the disc-shaped portion through the opening in the bottom wall, beyond the inwardly protruding portion of the insertion piece, An annular groove is formed between the first tapered portion and the second tapered portion, which are formed sequentially from the tip of the shaft portion, into which the inwardly facing protrusion of the insertion piece is fitted, The device comprises an operating member-side cam projection formed on the bottom wall side of the disc-shaped portion, and a main body-side cam projection formed on the disc-shaped portion side of the bottom wall. A vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device according to feature 1.

3. The locking hole is formed in such a position that, when the locking device is fixed in the locking hole, the body of the locking device or the engaging vane interferes with the rotary operating tool that attempts to engage with the bolt. The vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device according to feature 2.

4. The high-voltage protection component includes an engaging piece that interferes with the engaging vane protruding from the main body of the locking device. The vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device according to feature 2.

5. A gap is formed between the inclined plate portion on which the engaging piece of the high-voltage protection component is formed and the case. The vehicle high-voltage protection component mounting device according to feature 4.

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