vehicle

Abstract

This design allows for easy connection of connectors located on or near the vehicle's ground contact surface to the inlet, while minimizing the impact of external factors on the inlet. [Solution] The vehicle 1 comprises a vehicle frame 10 and an inlet 20. The inlet 20 is positioned so that it can be seen when viewing the vehicle 1 from below. The inlet 20 is positioned above the lower end of the vehicle frame 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-111497 discloses a conventional vehicle. This vehicle includes an inlet and a battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A connector connected to an inlet for charging a vehicle battery or the like may be disposed on or near the grounding surface of the vehicle. In a conventional vehicle, such a connector cannot be easily connected to the inlet. Also, it is conceivable to provide an inlet at the lowest possible part of the vehicle. However, external factors on or near the grounding surface of the vehicle may have an adverse effect on the inlet provided as described above.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle that can easily connect a connector disposed on or near the grounding surface of the vehicle to an inlet and can reduce the influence of external factors on the inlet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a vehicle frame and an inlet. The inlet is disposed so as to be visible when the vehicle is viewed from below. The inlet is disposed above the lower end of the vehicle frame.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to this disclosure, a connector located on or near the vehicle's ground contact surface can be easily connected to the inlet, and the influence of external factors on the inlet can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the inlet with the cover closed. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing the inlet with the cover open and the connector that can be connected to the inlet. [Figure 4] This figure schematically shows a vehicle according to a modified example of one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, a vehicle according to one embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0010] In Figures 1 to 3, "U" indicates upward, "D" indicates downward, "F" indicates forward, and "B" indicates backward. The longitudinal direction of the vehicle is the direction along both the forward and backward directions. The vehicle width direction is the direction substantially perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of drive wheels 2, a rotating electric machine 3, a power storage device 4, a power converter 5, a vehicle frame 10, and an inlet 20. The vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle, such as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

[0012] The rotation of the multiple drive wheels 2 enables the vehicle 1 to move forward or backward. The multiple drive wheels 2 are in contact with the ground surface G.

[0013] The rotating electric machine 3 is configured to rotate the drive wheel 2. The rotating electric machine 3 may be a motor generator (MG). Specifically, the rotating electric machine 3 may be a three-phase AC rotating electric machine, etc. In this embodiment, the vehicle 1 is equipped with a plurality of rotating electric machines 3. The plurality of rotating electric machines 3 include a front rotating electric machine 3F and a rear rotating electric machine 3R. The front rotating electric machine 3F and the rear rotating electric machine 3R are arranged in the front-rear direction.

[0014] The energy storage device 4 is configured to supply power to each of the rotating electric machines 3 to drive them. The energy storage device 4 includes a battery. The battery is, for example, a battery pack containing multiple cells. Each cell is, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0015] The energy storage device 4 is connected to the inlet 20 so that it can receive power from an external charger connected to the inlet 20. The energy storage device 4 and the inlet 20 are connected to each other via a power converter 5. The AC power supplied from the inlet 20 to the power converter 5 is converted to DC power by the power converter 5. This DC power is further supplied to the energy storage device 4 by the power converter 5, so that the energy storage device 4 can be charged. The energy storage device 4 may also be configured to send DC power to the power converter 5. The DC current sent to the power converter 5 is converted to AC power. This AC power may be supplied by the power converter 5 to an external load (not shown) connected to the inlet 20 via the inlet 20.

[0016] The energy storage device 4 may be located in front of or behind the rotating electric machine 3. In this embodiment, the energy storage device 4 is located between the front rotating electric machine 3F and the rear rotating electric machine 3R in the front-rear direction.

[0017] The vehicle frame 10 forms the overall framework of the vehicle 1 and is different from the drive wheels 2. When the vehicle 1 is on a flat ground contact surface, the vehicle frame 10 does not contact the ground contact surface. The vehicle frame 10 directly or indirectly supports the drive wheels 2, the rotating electric machine 3, the power storage device 4, the power conversion device 5, and the inlet 20.

[0018] The vehicle frame 10 includes a first member 11 and a second member 12. The first member 11 is located in front of the inlet 20. The first member 11 may be a member for coping with a side collision of the vehicle 1, for example, a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction. In the present embodiment, the first member 11 is located between the rear rotating electric machine 3R and the power storage device 4 in the front-rear direction.

[0019] The second member 12 is located behind the inlet 20. The second member 12 may be a member for coping with a side collision of the vehicle 1, for example, a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction. In the present embodiment, the second member 12 is located behind the rear rotating electric machine 3R.

[0020] The inlet 20 has a structure compliant with, for example, the CHAdeMO (registered trademark) system. The inlet 20 is arranged to be visible when the vehicle 1 is viewed from below. The inlet 20 may be arranged below a floor (not shown) that defines the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the inlet 20 is provided on the rotating electric machine 3 so as to be covered by the rotating electric machine 3 in front of and behind the inlet 20. The rotating electric machine 3 visibly covers the lower surface of the inlet 20. <UNK>

[0022] The inlet 20 is arranged above the lower end of the vehicle frame 10. Specifically, the inlet 20 is located above the lower end of the first member 11. The inlet 20 is located above the lower end of the second member 12.

[0023] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inlet with the cover closed. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the inlet with the cover open and the connector that can be connected to the inlet.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the inlet 20 includes a plurality of terminals 21, a top surface 22, a guide wall 23, and a cover 24. Connector C is a connector that can be connected to the inlet 20 and may be a connector for an external charger for charging the energy storage device 4. Connector C may also be a connector used to supply power from the energy storage device 4 to an external load such as an electrical appliance.

[0025] The plurality of terminals 21 include, for example, P terminals 21P and N terminals 21N. The plurality of terminals 21 may also include communication terminals (not shown) and grounding terminals (not shown). The P terminals 21P and N terminals 21N are electrically connected to the power converter 5. The plurality of terminals 21 are configured to be matable with, for example, a plurality of external terminals C1 provided by an external connector C. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of terminals 21 has an opening 211 that opens downward. The plurality of external terminals C1 that are displaced upward are inserted through the openings 211 of the plurality of terminals 21. This causes the terminals 21 to mate with the external terminals C1 and to make contact with the external terminals C1.

[0026] The top surface 22 extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction (specifically, the horizontal direction). Multiple terminals 21 extend downward from the top surface 22. When the terminals 21 are mated with the external terminal C1, the top surface 22 may come into contact with the connector housing C2 that supports the external terminal C1.

[0027] The guide wall 23 extends downward from the top surface 22. The guide wall 23 is located in front of and behind the entire set of terminals 21. When the external terminal C1 makes contact with terminal 21 and attempts to mate with terminal 21, the guide wall 23 guides the connector housing C2.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cover 24 is configured to be openable and closable. When the cover 24 is closed (see Figure 3), the cover 24 is located below the terminal 21. When the cover 24 is closed, the cover 24 faces the top surface 22 in the vertical direction. When the cover 24 is closed, the cover 24 overlaps the guide wall 23 in the vertical direction.

[0029] The cover 24 is configured to slide relative to the guide wall 23. The closed cover 24 opens by sliding relative to the guide wall 23 (see Figure 4). In this embodiment, the cover 24 is configured to slide horizontally relative to the guide wall 23. For example, the cover 24 may be configured to slide forward relative to the guide wall 23. The opening and closing mechanism of the cover 24 is not limited to the sliding type described above; it may be a hinge type, or it may be configured to be removable from the guide wall 23.

[0030] When cover 24 is open, cover 24 is not located below terminal 21. When cover 24 is open, cover 24 may be in contact with guide wall 23.

[0031] As described above, a vehicle 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a vehicle frame 10 and an inlet 20. The inlet 20 is positioned so as to be visible when viewing the vehicle 1 from below. The inlet 20 is positioned above the lower end of the vehicle frame 10.

[0032] With the above configuration, the inlet 20 is positioned so that it is visible when viewing the vehicle 1 from below, allowing the connector C, located on or near the ground surface G, to be easily connected to the inlet 20 from the underside of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, since the inlet 20 is positioned above the lower end of the vehicle frame 10, the influence of external factors on the inlet 20 can be minimized.

[0033] For example, when vehicle 1 is in motion, an obstacle G1 on the ground surface G of vehicle 1 will come into contact with the vehicle frame 10 before the inlet 20, thereby reducing the possibility of the obstacle G1 coming into contact with the inlet 20. Also, for example, when vehicle 1 is in a cold region, cold air W flows between vehicle 1 and the ground surface G below vehicle 1. In this case, the vehicle frame 10 acts as a shield, preventing the inlet 20 from being exposed to the cold air W. Consequently, the freezing of the inlet 20 can be prevented.

[0034] In this embodiment, the inlet 20 also includes a terminal 21 and a cover 24. The cover 24 is configured to be openable and closable. When the cover 24 is closed, the cover 24 is located below the terminal 21. When the cover 24 is open, the cover 24 is not located below the terminal 21.

[0035] With the above configuration, the cover 24 can reduce the influence of external factors on the terminals 21 of the inlet 20. Also, as mentioned above, since the entire inlet 20 is positioned above the lower end of the vehicle frame 10, the influence of external factors on the cover 24 is small. For example, the vehicle frame 10 acts as a shield, preventing the cover 24 from being exposed to cold air W. Consequently, this can prevent the cover 24 from freezing, and prevent the opening and closing of the cover 24 from being hindered by freezing.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle frame 10 includes a first member 11 and a second member 12. The first member 11 is located in front of the inlet 20. The second member 12 is located behind the inlet 20. The inlet 20 is located above the lower end of the first member 11. The inlet 20 is located above the lower end of the second member 12.

[0037] With the above configuration, the influence of external factors on the inlet 20 can be reduced more reliably while the vehicle 1 is in motion.

[0038] For example, when vehicle 1 is in motion, an obstacle G1 on the ground surface G of vehicle 1 will come into contact with the first member 11 or the second member 12 before the inlet 20, thereby reducing the possibility of the obstacle G1 coming into contact with the inlet 20. Also, for example, when vehicle 1 is traveling in a cold region, cold air W flows in the longitudinal direction between vehicle 1 and the ground surface G below vehicle 1. At this time, the first member 11 or the second member 12 acts as a shield, preventing the inlet 20 from being exposed to the cold air W. Consequently, freezing of the inlet 20 can be prevented.

[0039] Furthermore, the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment further comprises a drive wheel 2, a rotating electric machine 3, and a power storage device 4. The rotating electric machine 3 is configured to rotate the drive wheel 2. The power storage device 4 is configured to supply power to drive the rotating electric machine 3. The power storage device 4 is electrically connected to the inlet 20 so that it can receive power from an external charger connected to the inlet 20. The inlet 20 is provided on the rotating electric machine 3 so that it is covered by the rotating electric machine 3 in front of and behind the inlet 20.

[0040] With the above configuration, the inlet 20 can be installed on the rotating electric machine 3, and then the rotating electric machine 3 can be placed on the vehicle 1. Therefore, even if the inlet 20 is positioned so that it is visible when the vehicle 1 is viewed from below, the inlet 20 can be easily attached to the vehicle 1. Furthermore, because the inlet 20 is covered by the rotating electric machine 3 as described above, the influence of external factors on the inlet 20 can be reduced even more reliably when the vehicle 1 is in motion.

[0041] Note that the inlet 20 does not necessarily have to be provided on the rotating electric machine 3. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle according to a modified example of one embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, in this modified example, the inlet 20a is provided on the energy storage device 4a such that it is covered by the energy storage device 4a in front of and behind the inlet 20a.

[0042] According to the above configuration, after the inlet 20a is installed in the energy storage device 4a, the energy storage device 4a can be placed in the vehicle 1. Therefore, even if the inlet 20a is positioned so that it is visible when the vehicle 1 is viewed from below, the inlet 20a can be easily attached to the vehicle 1. Furthermore, because the inlet 20a is covered by the energy storage device 4a as described above, the influence of external factors on the inlet 20a can be reduced even more reliably when the vehicle 1 is in motion. Note that the energy storage device 4a covers the lower surface of the inlet 20a so that it is visible. In this modified example, the inlet 20a is located in front of the first member 11.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the combinatable configurations may be combined with each other.

[0044] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1 Vehicle, 2 Drive wheels, 3 Rotating electric machine, 3F Forward rotating electric machine, 3R Rearward rotating electric machine, 4,4a Energy storage device, 5 Power converter, 10 Vehicle frame, 11 First member, 12 Second member, 20,20a Inlet, 21 Terminal, 21N N terminal, 21P P terminal, 22 Top surface, 23 Guide wall, 24 Cover, 211 Opening, C Connector, C1 External terminal, C2 Connector housing, G Ground surface, G1 Obstacle, W Cool air.

Claims

1. It is a vehicle, Vehicle frame and Equipped with an inlet, The inlet is positioned so that it can be seen when the vehicle is viewed from below. The inlet is located above the lower end of the vehicle frame.

2. The inlet includes terminals and a cover, The cover is configured to be openable and closable. When the cover is closed, the cover is located below the terminal. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the cover is in the open position, the cover is not located below the terminal.

3. The vehicle frame includes a first member and a second member, The first member is located in front of the inlet, The second member is located behind the inlet, The inlet is located above the lower end of the first member, The vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inlet is located above the lower end of the second member.

4. Drive wheels and Rotating electric machines and, It is further equipped with an energy storage device, The aforementioned rotating electric machine is configured to rotate the drive wheel, The energy storage device is configured to supply power to drive the rotating electric machine, The energy storage device is electrically connected to the inlet so that it can receive power from an external charger connected to the inlet. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the inlet is provided on the rotating electric machine such that it is covered by the rotating electric machine in front of and behind the inlet.

5. Drive wheels and Rotating electric machines and, It is further equipped with an energy storage device, The aforementioned rotating electric machine is configured to rotate the drive wheel, The energy storage device is configured to supply power to drive the rotating electric machine, The energy storage device is configured to receive power from an external charger connected to the inlet. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the inlet is provided on the energy storage device such that it is covered by the energy storage device in front of and behind the inlet.

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