vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle suppressing the exposure to the outside of a high-voltage portion of an electric compressor upon a vehicle forward collision, and improving vehicle safety.SOLUTION: A vehicle 10 is equipped with a case 20 that stores an engine 12 that is an internal combustion engine, and an electric compressor 30 that is adjacent to the case 20 and is arranged on a front side of the case 20 in a vehicle fore-and-aft direction. In the vehicle, (a) the electric compressor 30 has upper fastening portions 34 and 36 fastened to the case 20, and a lower fastening portion 38; (b) the upper fastening portions 34 and 36 positioned above a gravity center G of the electric compressor 30 are respectively provided with fragile portions 34b, 36b1, and 36b2; and (c) if a load F that is a predetermined value or more is applied to the upper fastening portions 34 and 36, the fragile portions 34b, 36b1, and 36b2 break prior to parts other than the fragile portions 34b, 36b1, and 36b2 in the upper fastening portions 34 and 36.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with an electric compressor, and more particularly to improving vehicle safety in the event of a frontal collision. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in order to make the vehicle interior space larger, vehicles in which an electric compressor housing a high-voltage unit is disposed at the front of the vehicle (for example, in the engine room) have become widespread. For such vehicles, techniques have been proposed to ensure safety against high voltages in the event of a frontal collision. For example, the vehicle described in Patent Document 1 is one such example. The vehicle described in Patent Document 1 is configured to avoid secondary failures due to damage to the inverter circuit in the event of a frontal collision. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-243347 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if a load exceeding a certain level is applied to the electric compressor during a frontal collision of the vehicle, the electric compressor may be damaged, and high voltage portions may be exposed to the outside.

[0005] The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that improves vehicle safety by suppressing exposure of a high-voltage portion of an electric compressor to the outside in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gist of a first invention is a vehicle having a case for accommodating an internal combustion engine, and a vehicle body adjacent to the case and located on a front side of the case in a vehicle front-rear direction.Mounting surface and an electric compressor disposed in the vehicle, (a) the electric compressor comprising: a main body portion having a rigidity higher than that of a mounting surface of the case and accommodating a high voltage portion; A fastening portion fastened to the case and, (b) a weakened portion is provided in an upper fastening portion located above the center of the electric compressor, among the fastening portions; and (c) (d) the weak portion is not provided in a lower fastening portion located below the center of the electric compressor among the fastening portions; The upper fastening portion and the lower fastening portion When a load greater than a certain level is applied to than the lower fastening portion To the upper fastening portion The weakened portion is Break first By doing so, the electric compressor rotates with the lower fastening portion as a fulcrum, and the main body of the electric compressor sinks into the mounting surface of the case. The point is...

[0008] No. 2 The gist of the invention is the first Clearly In the vehicle, an upper portion of a mounting surface of the case to which the electric compressor is fastened is inclined forward in the vehicle front-rear direction compared to a lower portion of the mounting surface. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the vehicle of the first aspect of the present invention, (a) the electric compressor comprises: a main body portion having a rigidity higher than that of a mounting surface of the case and accommodating a high voltage portion; A fastening portion fastened to the case and, (b) a weakened portion is provided in an upper fastening portion located above the center of the electric compressor, among the fastening portions; and (c) (d) the weak portion is not provided in a lower fastening portion located below the center of the electric compressor among the fastening portions; The upper fastening portion and the lower fastening portion When a load greater than a certain level is applied to than the lower fastening portion To the upper fastening portion The weakened portion is Break first By doing so, the electric compressor rotates with the lower fastening portion as a fulcrum, and the main body of the electric compressor sinks into the mounting surface of the case. This reduces the load on the electric compressor by recessing it into the case, and prevents high-voltage parts from being exposed to the outside, improving vehicle safety. In addition, when a load equal to or greater than the predetermined value is applied to the upper fastening portion and the lower fastening portion, the weakened portion provided in the upper fastening portion breaks before the lower fastening portion, so that even if a load equal to or greater than the predetermined value is applied to the upper fastening portion and the lower fastening portion during a frontal collision of the vehicle, the weakened portion provided in the upper fastening portion breaks first, making it difficult for the lower fastening portion to break. This prevents the electric compressor from falling off the case during a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0011] No. 2 According to the vehicle of the invention, the first shot ClearlyIn the case, the mounting surface of the case to which the electric compressor is fastened has an upper portion inclined forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction compared to a lower portion. Because the mounting surface is inclined, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, a weak portion provided in the upper fastening portion breaks, and the electric compressor is likely to move so as to slip under the case. This makes it easier to reduce the load on the electric compressor and prevents a high-voltage portion from being exposed to the outside, thereby improving vehicle safety. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1A is a front view of an electric compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction with the electric compressor fastened to the case; FIG. 1B is a side view of the electric compressor fastened to the case, seen in the vehicle width direction; and FIG. 1C is a view of the electric compressor fastened to the case, seen from the top of the vehicle to the bottom of the vehicle in a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the case. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the state in which the electric compressor is fastened to the case, where (a) is a front view seen from the front side of the vehicle toward the rear side of the vehicle, and (b) is a side view seen in the vehicle width direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the electric compressor is fastened to the case, as viewed in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2(b). [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the breakage of a weak portion provided in an upper fastening portion of an electric compressor when a load of a predetermined amount or more is applied to the electric compressor from the front side of the vehicle, in which (a) shows a state in which a load of a predetermined amount or more is applied to the end of the electric compressor on the front side of the vehicle, and (b) shows a state in which a load of a predetermined amount or more causes the weak portion provided in the upper fastening portion of the electric compressor to break and the electric compressor to sink into the case. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following embodiments, the drawings are appropriately simplified or modified, and the dimensional ratios and shapes of the various parts are not necessarily drawn accurately. EXAMPLES

[0014] FIG. 1 is an external view of an electric compressor 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view seen from the front side of the vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as the "front side") to the rear side of the vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as the "rear side") in the vehicle longitudinal direction with the electric compressor 30 fastened to a case 20 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3), (b) is a side view seen in the vehicle width direction with the electric compressor 30 fastened to the case 20, and (c) is a view seen from the upper side of the vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as the "upper side") to the lower side of the vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as the "lower side") in a direction parallel to the mounting surface S of the case 20 with the electric compressor 30 fastened to the case 20. Note that Figure 1(a) is a view viewed in the direction of arrow A in Figures 1(b) and 1(c), Figure 1(b) is a view viewed in the direction of arrow B in Figures 1(a) and 1(c), and Figure 1(c) is a view viewed in the direction of arrow C in Figure 1(b).

[0015] The electric compressor 30 is, for example, a well-known electric compressor that drives an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the air in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 (see FIG. 2).

[0016] The main body 32 of the electric compressor 30 accommodates therein a compression section 32a (see FIG. 2) and a high-voltage section 32b (see FIG. 2) which is a high-voltage power supply (e.g., 60 V or higher) having a higher voltage than the auxiliary power supply (e.g., 12 V) to which the compression section 32a is electrically connected. The main body 32 of the electric compressor 30 is substantially cylindrical. The outer periphery of the main body 32 is provided with an upper fastening section 34 and an upper fastening section 36 located above the center of gravity G (see FIG. 1) of the electric compressor 30, and a lower fastening section 38 located below the center of gravity G. The upper fastening sections 34, 36 and the lower fastening section 38 are sections where the electric compressor 30 is fastened to the case 20 (i.e., sections where the electric compressor 30 is connected to the case 20 via fixtures such as bolts and nuts). The upper fastening portions 34, 36 and the lower fastening portion 38 each have a through hole extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The upper fastening portions 34, 36 and the lower fastening portion 38 each correspond to the "fastening portion" in the present invention. The center of gravity G corresponds to the "center of the electric compressor" in the present invention.

[0017] The upper fastening parts 34, 36 are provided with notches 34a, 36a, respectively. For example, the notch 34a provided in the upper fastening part 34 has a shape cut by a plane that intersects at an angle with respect to the direction in which the through hole extends at one end of the rear side of the upper fastening part 34. For example, the notch 36a provided in the upper fastening part 36 has a shape cut so that the inner peripheral surface of the through hole is exposed to the outside at the center of the upper fastening part 36 in the vehicle front-rear direction. By providing the notch 34a, the upper fastening part 34 is provided with a weak part 34b. By providing the notch 36a, the upper fastening part 36 is provided with a weak part 36b1 located on the front side and a weak part 36b2 located on the rear side. The lower fastening part 38 is not provided with a notch, i.e., is not provided with a weak part.

[0018] When a load F [N] equal to or greater than a predetermined load, which will be described later, is applied to the upper fastening portions 34, 36, the fragile portions 34b, 36b1, 36b2 are structured to break before the portions of the upper fastening portions 34, 36 other than the fragile portions 34b, 36b1, 36b2. Preferably, the upper fastening portions 34, 36 are structured to be weaker than the lower fastening portion 38 so that when a load F equal to or greater than a predetermined load is applied to the upper fastening portions 34, 36 and the lower fastening portion 38, the upper fastening portions 34, 36 break before the lower fastening portion 38. The fragile portions 34b, 36b1, 36b2 are structured not to break unless a load F equal to or greater than a predetermined load is applied to each of them.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the electric compressor 30 is fastened to the case 20, where (a) is a front view seen from the front to the rear, and (b) is a side view seen in the vehicle width direction. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the electric compressor 30 is fastened to the case 20, seen in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 2(b). Note that Fig. 2(a) is a view seen in the direction of arrow A in Figs. 2(b) and 3, and Fig. 2(b) is a view seen in the direction of arrow B in Figs. 2(a) and 3. The same symbols indicate the same directions for the arrows A, B, and C shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0020] For example, a case 20 and an electric compressor 30 are disposed (stored) in an engine room provided in front of a driver's seat of a vehicle 10. An engine 12 is housed in the case 20. The engine 12 is a well-known internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine.

[0021] The mounting surface S on the front side of the case 20 is provided with mounting holes 24, 26, 28 which are female threaded holes, corresponding to the positions of the through hole provided in the upper fastening portion 34 of the electric compressor 30, the through hole provided in the upper fastening portion 36, and the through hole provided in the lower fastening portion 38. The mounting surface S is the outer surface on the front side of the case 20 facing the electric compressor 30, and includes at least the outer surface surrounded by the mounting holes 24, 26, 28. Preferably, the mounting surface S of the case 20 to which the electric compressor 30 is fastened has an upper portion of the mounting surface S inclined forward in the vehicle front-rear direction compared to a lower portion.

[0022] The electric compressor 30 is disposed adjacent to the case 20 and in front of the case 20 in the vehicle front-rear direction. Specifically, a bolt 44 inserted through a through hole of the upper fastening portion 34 is screwed (=screwed) into the mounting hole 24, a bolt 46 inserted through a through hole of the upper fastening portion 36 is screwed into the mounting hole 26, and a bolt 48 inserted through a through hole of the lower fastening portion 38 is screwed into the mounting hole 28, thereby fastening the electric compressor 30 to the case 20. The electric compressor 30 is connected and fixed to the mounting surface S of the case 20 at three locations, the upper fastening portions 34, 36 and the lower fastening portion 38.

[0023] 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the breakage of the weak parts 34b, 36b1, and 36b2 provided on the upper fastening parts 34, 36 of the electric compressor 30 when a load F of a predetermined value or more is applied from the front side to the electric compressor 30, in which (a) shows a state in which a load F of a predetermined value or more is applied to the front end part of the electric compressor 30, and (b) shows a state in which the weak parts 34b, 36b1, and 36b2 provided on the upper fastening parts 34, 36 of the electric compressor 30 are broken by the load F of the predetermined value or more and the electric compressor 30 is sunk into the case 20. FIG. 4 is a view of the electric compressor 30 and the case 20 as viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0024] The front end of the main body 32 of the electric compressor 30 is located a distance L1 [mm] forward of the front ends of the bolts 44, 46 that fasten the upper fastening parts 34, 36 to the case 20 (bolt 44 not shown). In addition, the front ends of the bolts 44, 46 that fasten the upper fastening parts 34, 36 to the case 20 are located a distance L2 [mm] forward of the front end of the bolt 48 that fastens the lower fastening part 38.

[0025] The rigidity of the main body 32 of the electric compressor 30 is set to be relatively higher than the rigidity of the mounting surface S of the case 20.

[0026] FIG. 4(a) shows a state in which a load F of a predetermined level or more is applied to the front end of the main body 32 of the electric compressor 30 during a frontal collision of the vehicle (head-on collision). The load F of a predetermined level or more is a load (weight or impact energy) applied from outside the vehicle 10 during a frontal collision, and is a load that physically damages the front part of the vehicle. The load F of a predetermined level or more is first applied to the front end of the main body 32 of the electric compressor 30. The load F of a predetermined level or more corresponds to the "load of a predetermined level or more" in this invention.

[0027] 4(a) is further applied to the electric compressor 30, only the fragile portions 34b, 36b1, and 36b2 provided in the upper fastening portions 34, 36, respectively, of the upper fastening portions 34, 36 and the lower fastening portion 38, which are involved in fastening the electric compressor 30 to the case 20, break due to load sharing according to the position where the load F of more than the predetermined value is applied. In other words, when a load F of more than the predetermined value is applied to the upper fastening portions 34, 36 and the lower fastening portion 38, the fragile portions 34b, 36b1, and 36b2 provided in the upper fastening portions 34, 36, respectively, break before the lower fastening portion 38, and the lower fastening portion 38 does not break.

[0028] When only the fragile portions 34b, 36b1, 36b2 provided in the upper fastening portions 34, 36 respectively break, the electric compressor 30 is rotated in a direction approaching the case 20 with the lower fastening portion 38 as a fulcrum (center of rotation). Since the electric compressor 30 is connected to the case 20 only by the lower fastening portion 38 and the rigidity of the electric compressor 30 is relatively higher than the rigidity of the mounting surface S of the case 20, the main body portion 32 of the electric compressor 30 is reduced into the case 20 by a load F of a predetermined level or more. FIG. 4(b) shows a state in which a load F of a predetermined level or more is applied to the front end of the bolt 46 fastening the upper fastening portion 36.

[0029] A load F (impact energy) equal to or greater than a predetermined value is released and gradually reduced by breakage of the fragile parts 34b, 36b1, and 36b2 provided in the upper fastening parts 34 and 36, respectively, and wear of the main body part 32 of the electric compressor 30 into the case 20. By reducing the load F equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the high voltage part 32b in the electric compressor 30 is prevented from being exposed to the outside. In addition, when the fragile parts 34b, 36b1, and 36b2 are not provided in the upper fastening parts 34 and 36, respectively, the upper fastening parts 34 and 36 are less likely to break than when the fragile parts 34b, 36b1, and 36b2 are provided. If the upper fastening parts 34 and 36 do not break, a load F equal to or greater than a predetermined value is likely to be directly applied to the main body part 32 of the electric compressor 30, and the high voltage part 32b in the electric compressor 30 is likely to be exposed to the outside.

[0030] According to this embodiment, (a) the electric compressor 30 has upper fastening parts 34, 36 and a lower fastening part 38 fastened to the case 20, (b) the upper fastening parts 34, 36 located above the center of gravity G of the electric compressor 30 out of the upper fastening parts 34, 36 and the lower fastening part 38 are provided with weak parts 34b, 36b1, 36b2, respectively, and (c) when a load F of a predetermined value or more is applied to the upper fastening parts 34, 36, the weak parts 34b, 36b1, 36b2 break before the parts of the upper fastening parts 34, 36 other than the weak parts 34b, 36b1, 36b2. When a load F of a predetermined value or more is applied to the upper fastening parts 34, 36 during a frontal collision of the vehicle, the weak parts 34b, 36b1, 36b2 provided in the upper fastening parts 34, 36 break. As a result, the electric compressor 30 is recessed into the case 20, thereby reducing the load on the electric compressor 30 and preventing the high-voltage portion 32b from being exposed to the outside, thereby improving vehicle safety.

[0031] According to this embodiment, (a) the lower fastening portion 38, which is located below the center of gravity G of the electric compressor 30, among the upper fastening portions 34, 36 and the lower fastening portion 38, is not provided with a weak portion, and (b) when a load F of a predetermined value or more is applied to the upper fastening portions 34, 36 and the lower fastening portion 38, the weak portions 34b, 36b1, 36b2 provided in the upper fastening portions 34, 36 respectively break before the lower fastening portion 38. Even if a load F of a predetermined value or more is applied to the upper fastening portions 34, 36 and the lower fastening portion 38 during a frontal collision of the vehicle, the weak portions 34b, 36b1, 36b2 provided in the upper fastening portions 34, 36 respectively break first, so that the lower fastening portion 38 is less likely to break. This suppresses the electric compressor 30 from falling off the case 20 during a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0032] According to this embodiment, the mounting surface S of the case 20 to which the electric compressor 30 is fastened is inclined at its upper portion toward the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction compared to its lower portion. Because the mounting surface S is inclined, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the weak portions 34b, 36b1, 36b2 provided on the upper fastening portions 34, 36, respectively, break, and the electric compressor 30 is likely to move so as to slip under the case 20. This makes it easier to reduce the load on the electric compressor 30, and prevents the high-voltage portion 32b from being exposed to the outside, thereby improving vehicle safety.

[0033] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the present invention can be applied to other embodiments.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the upper fastening portion 34 is provided with the weak portion 34b by providing the notch 34a, and the upper fastening portion 36 is provided with the weak portions 36b1 and 36b2 by providing the notch 36a. However, as long as the weak portions 34b, 36b1 and 36b2 are provided, the notches 34a and 36a may have any shape. For example, the cylindrical portion having the through hole inside the upper fastening portion 34 and 36 may have a portion having a locally small radial cross-sectional area by a groove or hole provided in the cylindrical portion, and when a load F of a predetermined value or more is applied, the locally small cross-sectional area portion provided in the upper fastening portion 34 and 36 is more likely to break than the other portions. In this embodiment, the locally small cross-sectional area portion provided in the upper fastening portion 34 and 36 becomes the weak portion. Also, the upper fastening portion 34 and 36 may not necessarily be provided with the notches 34a and 36a. For example, a locally thin portion or a locally small cross-sectional area in the radial direction may be provided in the cylindrical portion having the through hole of the upper fastening portions 34, 36 therein, so that the thin portion or the small cross-sectional area provided in the upper fastening portions 34, 36 is more likely to break than other portions when a predetermined load F or more is applied. In this embodiment, the thin portion or the small cross-sectional area provided in the cylindrical portion becomes the fragile portion.

[0035] In the embodiment described above, the electric compressor 30 has three "fastening portions" in the present invention, the upper fastening portions 34, 36 and the lower fastening portion 38, but the present invention is not limited to this. The electric compressor 30 may have at least one upper fastening portion located above the center of gravity G as the "fastening portion" in the present invention, and the upper fastening portion may be provided with a weak portion.

[0036] It should be noted that the above is merely an embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention can be embodied in various forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 10: Vehicle 12: Engine (internal combustion engine) 20: Case 30: Electric compressor 34: Upper fastening part (fastening part) 34b: Weak area 36: Upper fastening part (fastening part) 36b1: Weak part 36b2: Weak part 38: Lower fastening part (fastening part) F: Load above a certain level G: Center of gravity (center of electric compressor) S: Mounting surface

Claims

1. A vehicle including a case that houses an internal combustion engine, and an electric compressor that is adjacent to the case and disposed on a front mounting surface of the case in a vehicle front-rear direction, The electric compressor has a main body portion having a rigidity higher than that of a mounting surface of the case, the main body portion housing a high-voltage unit, and a fastening portion fastened to the case, An upper fastening portion located above a center of the electric compressor among the fastening portions is provided with a weak portion, The weakened portion is not provided in a lower fastening portion that is located below a center of the electric compressor among the fastening portions, When a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the upper fastening portion and the lower fastening portion, the weak portion provided in the upper fastening portion breaks earlier than the lower fastening portion, causing the electric compressor to rotate about the lower fastening portion as a fulcrum, and the main body of the electric compressor sinks into the mounting surface of the case. A vehicle characterized by:

2. The mounting surface of the case to which the electric compressor is fastened is inclined forward in the vehicle front-rear direction as compared with a lower portion of the mounting surface at an upper portion.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1 .

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