Vehicle undercarriage

Abstract

The objective is to obtain a vehicle understructure that can suppress damage to the connector and the harness connected to the connector in low-temperature environments where the connector and its surroundings may freeze. [Solution] The vehicle understructure 10 comprises a power storage device 20 mounted on the underside of the vehicle 12, having a case 22 housing a power storage module 24, a connector portion 28 provided on the case 22, and a heater element 30 for raising the temperature of the connector portion 28.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle underbody structure.

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle including a power storage device charged by power from an external power source and a heater that receives power from the external power source and warms the power storage device has been conventionally known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this vehicle, in a low-temperature environment, the power storage device is heated by a heater in order to raise the temperature of the power storage device early and perform warm-up.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the connector portion in the power storage device and the outer wall around it are frozen (ice blocks are formed), due to vibrations of the vehicle or the like, if the frozen part (ice blocks) breaks (cracks) without melting, there is a risk of damage to the connector portion and the harness or the like connected to the connector portion.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle underbody structure that can suppress damage to the connector portion and the harness connected to the connector portion in a low-temperature environment where the connector portion and its surroundings may freeze.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the vehicle understructure of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a case housing an energy storage module, an energy storage device mounted on the underside of the vehicle, a connector portion provided in the case, and a heater element for raising the temperature of the connector portion.

[0007] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the energy storage device mounted on the underside of the vehicle has a case that houses an energy storage module. The case is provided with a connector. The connector is heated by a heater element. Therefore, in a low-temperature environment where the connector and its surroundings may freeze, even if the connector freezes, it is possible to melt the ice without breaking it. Thus, damage to the connector and the harness connected to the connector is suppressed.

[0008] Furthermore, the vehicle understructure according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the vehicle understructure according to the first embodiment, wherein a cell heater for raising the temperature of the energy storage module is provided inside the case, and the heater element is electrically connected to the cell heater.

[0009] According to the second embodiment of the invention, a cell heater for raising the temperature of the energy storage module is provided inside the case, and the heater element is electrically connected to the cell heater. Therefore, it is possible to heat the connector portion with the heater element at the same time as heating the energy storage module with the cell heater. Thus, the low-temperature starting performance and safety of the vehicle are improved in low-temperature environments where the connector portion and its surroundings may freeze.

[0010] Furthermore, a third embodiment of the vehicle understructure according to the present invention is a vehicle understructure according to the first or second embodiment, wherein the connector portion has an aluminum connector block disposed inside the case, and the heater element is provided on the connector block.

[0011] According to the third embodiment of the invention, the connector portion has an aluminum connector block disposed inside the case, and a heater element is provided on the connector block. Here, since the connector block is made of aluminum, it has high thermal conductivity. Therefore, in a low-temperature environment in which the connector portion and its surroundings may freeze, the connector portion is efficiently heated and its temperature is raised.

[0012] Furthermore, a fourth embodiment of the vehicle understructure according to the present invention is the vehicle understructure according to the first embodiment, wherein the connector portion has a connector body located outside the case, and the heater element is provided on the connector body.

[0013] According to the fourth embodiment of the invention, the connector portion has a connector body located outside the case, and a heater element is provided on the connector body. Therefore, in low-temperature environments where the connector portion and its surroundings may freeze, it is possible to melt the ice on at least the connector body and its surroundings without breaking it.

[0014] Furthermore, a fifth aspect of the vehicle understructure according to the present invention includes a case housing an energy storage module, an energy storage device mounted on the underside of the vehicle, a connector portion provided at the front end of the case, an exhaust pipe positioned adjacent to the outer side of the case in the vehicle width direction, and a partition portion positioned between the connector portion and the exhaust pipe when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and formed to cover the connector portion when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0015] According to the fifth embodiment of the invention, the energy storage device mounted on the underside of the vehicle has a case that houses an energy storage module. A connector is provided at the front end of the case, and an exhaust pipe is positioned adjacent to the outer side of the case in the vehicle width direction. A partition is positioned between the connector and the exhaust pipe when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the partition is sized to cover the connector when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0016] Therefore, in low-temperature environments where the connector and its surroundings may freeze, the barrier prevents snow and ice kicked up by the wheels from entering the connector. In other words, it prevents or suppresses the freezing of the outer walls of the connector and its surroundings. Thus, damage to the connector and the harness connected to it is suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, damage to the connector and the harness connected to the connector can be suppressed in low-temperature environments where the connector and its surroundings may freeze. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] (A) A schematic side view showing the freezing state in the vehicle understructure according to the first embodiment. (B) A schematic side view showing the ice-melting state in the vehicle understructure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] (A) A schematic side view showing the vehicle understructure according to the second embodiment. (B) A schematic front view showing the vehicle understructure according to the second embodiment. [Figure 3] (A) A schematic side view showing the vehicle understructure according to the third embodiment. (B) A schematic front view showing the vehicle understructure according to the third embodiment. [Figure 4] (A) A schematic side view showing the vehicle understructure according to the fourth embodiment. (B) A schematic front view showing the vehicle understructure according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 5] (A) A schematic side view showing the start of freezing in the vehicle understructure of the first comparative example. (B) A schematic side view showing the freezing state in the vehicle understructure of the first comparative example. (C) A schematic side view showing the freezing breakage state in the vehicle understructure of the first comparative example. [Figure 6] (A) A schematic side view showing the vehicle understructure related to the second comparative example. (B) A schematic front view showing the vehicle understructure related to the second comparative example.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. For the sake of convenience of explanation, in each figure, the arrow UP shown as appropriate is the upward direction of the vehicle, the arrow FR is the forward direction of the vehicle, and the arrow RH is the right direction of the vehicle. Also, in the following description, when the directions of up and down, front and back, and left and right are described without special mention, they indicate up and down, front and back, and left and right in the vehicle. Also, the left and right directions are synonymous with the vehicle width direction.

[0020] <First Embodiment> First, the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), the vehicle lower structure 10 according to the first embodiment includes a power storage device 20 mounted on the lower side of the floor 13 of the vehicle 12. The vehicle 12 is, for example, a PHEV (plug-in hybrid vehicle). Therefore, as will be described later, an exhaust pipe 18 (see FIG. 2(B)) is disposed adjacent to the right side (outer side in the vehicle width direction) of the power storage device 20.

[0021] The power storage device 20 has a metal case 22 having a substantially rectangular box shape. At the lower end of the front wall (outer wall at the front end) 22F of the case 22, a substantially rectangular flat plate-shaped protection plate 14 extending forward is integrally provided with a predetermined thickness. The protection plate 14 protects the connector portion 28 and the harness 34, which will be described later, from interference by foreign objects or the like.

[0022] A power storage module 24 is housed inside the case 22. And below the power storage module 24 inside the case 22, a cell heater 26 for heating the power storage module 24 to raise its temperature is provided. The cell heater 26 is formed to be slightly larger than the power storage module 24 in plan view so as to be able to heat the entire power storage module 24.

[0023] Furthermore, a connector section 28 is provided on the left side of the front wall 22F of the case 22 (one side in the vehicle width direction, opposite to the exhaust pipe 18). The connector section 28 has a connector body 28A located outside the case 22 and a connector block 28B located inside the case 22. The connector block 28B is made of die-cast aluminum (aluminum alloy).

[0024] A heater element 30 is provided on the rear wall of the connector block 28B to heat the connector section 28 and raise its temperature. This heater element 30 is electrically connected to the cell heater 26 by wiring 32 and is configured to operate (conduct energy) in conjunction with the operation (conducting energy) of the cell heater 26. In addition, a harness 34 routed from the front side is connected to the connector body 28A.

[0025] The operation of the vehicle understructure 10 according to the first embodiment, which has the configuration described above, will now be explained.

[0026] First, the vehicle understructure relating to the first comparative example shown in Figure 5 will be described. In this first comparative example, the heater element 30 is not provided. In the vehicle understructure, the exhaust pipe 18, which becomes hot, is located on the front and right side of the energy storage device 20 (case 22), and therefore cannot be completely covered by exterior members, etc. As a result, as shown in Figure 5(A), snow and ice kicked up by the wheels (not shown) can easily enter the connector section 28 (connector body 28A) from the exhaust pipe 18 side.

[0027] Although not shown in Figures 1 and 5, a vertical wall section 16A is located on the front and left side of the power storage device 20 (case 22), at the left end (one end in the vehicle width direction) of the under cover 16 (described later), and is erected in front of the front wall 22F of the case 22. Therefore, snow and ice kicked up by the wheels (not shown) are less likely to enter the connector section 28 (connector body 28A) from the opposite side of the exhaust pipe 18.

[0028] When snow or ice enters the connector section 28 from the exhaust pipe 18 side, a protective plate 14 is positioned below the connector section 28. As shown in Figure 5(B), ice chunks B are easily formed on the connector section 28 and the surrounding front wall 22F due to the accumulation and freezing of the snow or ice. In this case, as shown in Figure 5(C), if the ice chunks B break (crack) without melting due to vibrations of the vehicle 12, the connector section 28 and the harness 34 connected to the connector section 28 will be damaged along with the destruction of the ice chunks B.

[0029] Therefore, in the vehicle understructure 10 according to the first embodiment, a heater element 30 is provided in the connector block 28B of the connector section 28. In other words, the connector section 28 is heated and warmed up by the heater element 30. Consequently, in a low-temperature environment where the connector section 28 and its surroundings may freeze, even if the front wall 22F of the connector section 28 and its surroundings freezes (ice block B is formed), as shown in Figure 1(A), the ice (ice block B) can be melted without breaking, as shown in Figure 1(B).

[0030] Therefore, in low-temperature environments where the connector portion 28 and its surroundings may freeze, damage to the connector portion 28 and the harness 34 connected to the connector portion 28 can be suppressed or prevented. In particular, since the connector block 28B is made of die-cast aluminum (aluminum alloy), it has high thermal conductivity and can efficiently heat the connector portion 28 to raise its temperature.

[0031] Furthermore, the heater element 30 is electrically connected to the cell heater 26, which heats the energy storage module 24, by wiring 32. Therefore, the heater element 30 can be activated in conjunction with the operation of the cell heater 26. In other words, the connector portion 28 can be heated by the heater element 30 at the same time as the energy storage module 24 is heated by the cell heater 26. Thus, the low-temperature starting performance and safety of the vehicle 12 can be improved in low-temperature environments where the connector portion 28 and its surroundings may freeze.

[0032] Furthermore, since the heater element 30 can be controlled solely by controlling the cell heater 26, the increase in manufacturing costs can be suppressed compared to a configuration where the heater element 30 is controlled separately. In addition, since the heater element 30 is located inside the case 22, there is no need to separately seal the heater element 30, which also helps to suppress the increase in manufacturing costs.

[0033] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that parts equivalent to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), the vehicle understructure 10 according to this second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the heater element 30 is provided on the connector body 28A rather than on the connector block 28B of the connector section 28. That is, the connector body 28A is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape, and the heater element 30 is mounted in an annular manner on the outer circumference of the connector body 28A. In the illustration, two heater elements 30 are provided at the front and rear, but the configuration may consist of only one, or three or more.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(B), an exhaust pipe 18, which carries exhaust gas from the engine (not shown) housed in the engine compartment, is located adjacent to the right side (outward in the vehicle width direction) of the case 22. That is, this exhaust pipe 18 is positioned roughly along the peripheral wall 22A of the case 22 and extends toward the rear. Therefore, the connector section 28 is positioned on the left side of the case 22 (opposite side from the exhaust pipe 18) so that the harness 34 does not come into contact with the exhaust pipe 18.

[0036] Furthermore, an under cover 16 that covers the lower part of the vehicle 12 is positioned below the energy storage device 20 (case 22). The under cover 16 is positioned with a predetermined vertical gap between it and the entire lower surface of the lower wall 22D of the case 22, including the protective plate 14. Also, as shown in Figure 2(B), a vertical wall portion 16A is integrally erected at the left end of the under cover 16 (one end in the vehicle width direction) and in front of the front wall 22F of the case 22.

[0037] The vertical wall portion 16A is formed to cover the connector portion 28 (connector body 28A including the heater element 30) when viewed from the vehicle width direction. Therefore, snow and ice kicked up by the wheels (not shown) are prevented from entering the connector body 28A of the connector portion 28 from the side opposite the exhaust pipe 18 by this vertical wall portion 16A. Note that the vertical wall portion 16A is not shown in Figure 2(A).

[0038] The operation of the vehicle understructure 10 according to the second embodiment, which has the configuration described above, will now be explained. Note that the explanation of operations common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0039] In the vehicle understructure 10 according to this second embodiment, a heater element 30 is provided on the connector body 28A of the connector section 28. In other words, the connector body 28A of the connector section 28 is heated and warmed up by the heater element 30. Therefore, in low-temperature environments where the connector section 28 and its surroundings may freeze, it is possible to melt at least the ice (ice blocks) on the connector body 28A and its surroundings without breaking them.

[0040] Therefore, in low-temperature environments where the connector portion 28 and its surroundings may freeze, damage to the connector portion 28 and the harness 34 connected to the connector portion 28 can be suppressed or prevented. Furthermore, the vertical wall portion 16A provided on the under cover 16 suppresses or prevents snow and ice from entering the connector body 28A of the connector portion 28 from the side opposite the exhaust pipe 18. As a result, the possibility of the connector portion 28 and its surroundings freezing can be reduced. This is also the case in the first embodiment described above.

[0041] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the heater element 30 may be operated at a different timing than the cell heater 26. In other words, the heater element 30 may be operated regardless of the operating time of the cell heater 26. However, in this case, it is preferable to provide a determination device or the like that can determine whether ice (ice blocks) have formed in and around the connector portion 28 and whether the ice (ice blocks) have melted away.

[0042] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. Note that parts equivalent to those in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0043] As shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B), the vehicle understructure 10 according to this third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that it does not have a heater element 30, and instead a substantially rectangular flat partition 15 is integrally erected with a predetermined thickness at the right end (the other end in the vehicle width direction) of the protective plate 14.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3(B), the partition section 15 is positioned between the connector section 28 (connector body 28A) and the exhaust pipe 18 when viewed from the front-rear direction, and as shown in Figure 3(A), it is formed to cover the connector section 28 (connector body 28A) when viewed from the vehicle width direction. Note that the vertical wall section 16A is not shown in Figure 3(A).

[0045] The operation of the vehicle understructure 10 according to the third embodiment, which has the configuration described above, will now be explained. Note that the explanation of operations common to the first and second embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0046] First, let's explain the undercarriage structure of the second comparative example shown in Figure 6. In this second comparative example, the partition section 15 is not provided. Therefore, as shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), snow and ice enter the connector section 28 (connector body 28A) from the exhaust pipe 18 side, and the connector section 28 and the surrounding front wall 22F freeze over. In this case, if the ice (ice block) breaks without melting, the connector section 28 and the harness 34 connected to the connector section 28 will be damaged along with the breakage of the ice block.

[0047] Therefore, in the vehicle understructure 10 according to the third embodiment, a partition portion 15 is integrally erected on the right end (other end in the vehicle width direction) of the protective plate 14. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 3(B), the partition portion 15 can suppress or prevent snow and ice from entering the connector portion 28 (connector body 28A) from the exhaust pipe 18 side. In other words, it is possible to suppress or prevent the front wall 22F of the connector portion 28 and its surrounding area from freezing.

[0048] Therefore, in low-temperature environments where the connector portion 28 and its surroundings may freeze, damage to the connector portion 28 and the harness 34 connected to the connector portion 28 can be suppressed or prevented. Moreover, this partition portion 15 is erected on a protective plate 14 provided at the front end of the case 22. Therefore, it becomes easy to implement the installation of the partition portion 15.

[0049] <Fourth Embodiment> Finally, the fourth embodiment will be described. Note that parts equivalent to those in the first to third embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0050] As shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B), the only difference between the vehicle understructure 10 according to this fourth embodiment and the third embodiment is that the partition portion 15 is integrally erected on the right end portion (the other end portion in the vehicle width direction) of the under cover 16, rather than on the right end portion (the other end portion in the vehicle width direction) of the protective plate 14.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4(B), the partition section 15 is positioned between the connector section 28 (connector body 28A) and the exhaust pipe 18 when viewed from the front-rear direction, and as shown in Figure 4(A), it is formed to cover the connector section 28 (connector body 28A) when viewed from the vehicle width direction. Note that the vertical wall section 16A is not shown in Figure 4(A).

[0052] The operation of the vehicle understructure 10 according to the fourth embodiment, which has the configuration described above, will now be explained. Note that the explanation of operations common to the first to third embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0053] In the vehicle understructure 10 according to this fourth embodiment, a partition 15 is integrally erected on the right end (the other end in the vehicle width direction) of the under cover 16. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4(B), the partition 15 can suppress or prevent snow and ice from entering the connector section 28 (connector body 28A) from the exhaust pipe 18 side. In other words, it can suppress or prevent the front wall 22F of the connector section 28 and its surrounding area from freezing.

[0054] Therefore, in low-temperature environments where the connector portion 28 and its surroundings may freeze, damage to the connector portion 28 and the harness 34 connected to the connector portion 28 can be suppressed or prevented. Moreover, this partition portion 15 is erected on the under cover 16 that covers the lower part of the vehicle 12. Therefore, it becomes easy to implement the installation of the partition portion 15.

[0055] The vehicle understructure 10 according to this embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the vehicle understructure 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to the illustrated version, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the connector portion 28 is not limited to the configuration in which only one is provided as shown, but may be configured to have multiple connectors arranged in the vehicle width direction.

[0056] When multiple connector sections 28 are provided, the heater element 30 in the first and second embodiments is provided for each connector section 28. In the first embodiment, the heater element 30 may be operated at a different timing from the cell heater 26. In the first embodiment, the third or fourth embodiment may be applied, and in the second embodiment, the third or fourth embodiment may be applied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10. Vehicle understructure 12 vehicles 15 Partition Section 18 Exhaust pipe 20 Energy storage devices 22 cases 24 Energy storage modules 26 Cell Heater 28 Connector section 28A Connector Body 28B Connector Block 30 Heater element

Claims

1. A power storage device having a case containing a power storage module, mounted on the underside of the vehicle, The connector portion provided in the aforementioned case, A heater element for raising the temperature of the connector portion, A vehicle understructure equipped with the following features.

2. A cell heater for raising the temperature of the energy storage module is provided inside the case. The vehicle understructure according to claim 1, wherein the heater element is electrically connected to the cell heater.

3. The connector section has an aluminum connector block located inside the case. The vehicle understructure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the heater element is provided in the connector block.

4. The connector portion has a connector body located outside the case, The vehicle understructure according to claim 1, wherein the heater element is provided in the connector body.

5. A power storage device having a case containing a power storage module, mounted on the underside of the vehicle, A connector portion is provided at the front end of the case of the vehicle, An exhaust pipe is positioned adjacent to the outer side of the case in the vehicle width direction, A partition is positioned between the connector and the exhaust pipe when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is formed to cover the connector when viewed from the width direction of the vehicle. A vehicle understructure equipped with the following features.

Images