In-wheel motor vehicle

Abstract

To provide a cable which connects an electric unit provided at a vehicle body with an in-wheel motor, and to provide an in-wheel motor vehicle which enables reduction of a load acting in the cable in the derailment of a driving wheel while maintaining strength of a connection part of the cable.SOLUTION: An in-wheel motor vehicle 1 includes: a driving wheel; an in-wheel motor 2 which is provided within the driving wheel and outputs torque to the driving wheel; a power source which is provided at a vehicle body 3; and a cable 10 which electrically connects the power source with the in-wheel motor 2. The in-wheel motor vehicle 1 further includes a connection member 11 which is connected to the vehicle body 3 and the in-wheel motor 2, or connected to a power source side connector for attaching the cable 10 to the power source and the in-wheel motor 2, or connected to a motor side connector for attaching the cable 10 to the in-wheel motor 2 and the vehicle body 3. The connection member 11 is formed shorter than the cable 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle having a motor in one of the front or rear wheels. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle in which an in-wheel motor housed in a drive wheel is supported by a lower arm and an upper arm. This vehicle is configured such that an electric unit provided on the vehicle body side and the in-wheel motor are connected by a harness, and the connection between the electric unit and the harness breaks when the vehicle derails during a collision or the like. In other words, the strength of the connection between the electric unit and the harness is lower than the strength of the connection between the in-wheel motor and the harness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-159814 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an electric unit provided on a vehicle body and an in-wheel motor are connected by a harness as described in Patent Document 1, a load is applied to the connection between the electric unit and the harness when the in-wheel motor vibrates due to driving on an uneven road surface or when the in-wheel motor tilts relative to the vehicle body during cornering and the harness is bent. Therefore, if the strength of the connection between the electric unit and the harness is reduced as described in Patent Document 1, robustness against the vibration of the in-wheel motor and bending of the harness may decrease. On the other hand, if the strength of the connection between the harness and the in-wheel motor is increased, the connection may become larger, which may increase the unsprung load. In addition, if a mechanism is added to ensure the connection state of the connection between the electric unit and the harness even when the in-wheel motor vibrates or the harness is bent, the configuration near the connection may become larger.

[0005] This invention has been made with attention to the above-mentioned technical problems, and aims to provide an in-wheel motor vehicle that can reduce the load acting on the cable when a drive wheel equipped with an in-wheel motor comes off, while maintaining the strength of the cable and its connection part connecting the electric unit provided on the vehicle body to the in-wheel motor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an in-wheel motor vehicle including a drive wheel, an in-wheel motor provided inside the drive wheel and outputting torque to the drive wheel, a power source provided on a vehicle body, and a cable electrically connecting the power source and the in-wheel motor. a suspension whose upper end is held by the vehicle body and which supports the in-wheel motor so as to be movable up and down; a connecting portion connected to the vehicle body and the in-wheel motor, or connected to a power supply side connector that attaches the cable to the power supply and the in-wheel motor, or connected to a motor side connector that attaches the cable to the in-wheel motor and the vehicle body; Materials and The connecting member is further provided a length of the connecting member is longer than a shortest distance between an attachment portion of the connecting member on the vehicle body side and an attachment portion of the connecting member on the in-wheel motor side when the suspension is displaced to a maximum extent and the drive wheels are steered to a maximum extent,It is characterized in that it is formed shorter than the above cable. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to this invention, the vehicle body and the in-wheel motor, or the power supply connector and the in-wheel motor, or the motor connector and the vehicle body are connected by a connecting member. The connecting member is formed shorter than the cable connecting the power supply and the in-wheel motor. Therefore, even if the wheel derails, the distance between the derailed drive wheel and the vehicle body, the distance between the power supply connector and the in-wheel motor, or the distance between the motor connector and the vehicle body can be prevented from becoming equal to or greater than the full length of the connecting member. As a result, the application of a tensile load to the cable when the wheel derails can be prevented, and the cable breakage can be prevented. In other words, the cable can be set to a strength corresponding to the vibration and steering of the drive wheel as in the conventional case, and the connection part can be prevented from becoming large in size. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting structure between an in-wheel motor and a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a vehicle body and an in-wheel motor are connected by a connecting member. [Diagram 3] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the vehicle body and the motor-side connector are connected by a connecting member. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vehicle that has been derailed while the vehicle body and the motor-side connector are connected by a connecting member; FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an in-wheel motor and a power supply connector are connected by a connecting member. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the in-wheel motor and the power supply connector being coupled with a coupling member and coming off the wheel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view for explaining an example of an in-wheel motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The in-wheel motor vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as vehicle) 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a front-drive type in which a motor (hereinafter referred to as in-wheel motor) 2 is housed in each of a pair of front wheels, and Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the vicinity of the right front wheel as seen from the rear side of the vehicle 1. For convenience, the right front wheel and a right front-side wheel are not shown in Fig. 1.

[0010] 1 is held so as to be able to move up and down relative to a vehicle body 3. Specifically, a knuckle 5 that functions as part of a case for the in-wheel motor 2 is connected to the tip of a suspension 4 that is configured in the same manner as a conventionally known suspension.

[0011] Also, an end of a tie rod (or knuckle arm) 6 that moves in the vehicle width direction according to the steering amount of the steering wheel is connected to the knuckle 5 so that the knuckle 5 swings around the central axis of the suspension 4 according to the steering angle of the steering wheel (not shown). That is, the in-wheel motor 2 is held on the vehicle body by the suspension 4 and the tie rod 6. Note that the in-wheel motor 2 in the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to being supported on the vehicle body 3 by the suspension 4 and the tie rod 6, but may be supported by a lower arm, an upper arm, or the like. Also, the in-wheel motor 2 is not limited to being provided on the front wheel, but may be provided on the rear wheel, in which case the tie rod 6 does not need to be connected.

[0012] The in-wheel motor 2 shown in Fig. 1 is configured similarly to a motor provided as a driving force source for a conventionally known electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle, etc. That is, it is capable of outputting a driving torque according to the electric power supplied thereto, and also has a function as a generator that converts the kinetic energy of the driving wheels into electric energy by outputting a braking torque so as to reduce the rotation speed of the driving wheels. Specifically, it is configured by an AC motor such as a conventionally known permanent magnet synchronous motor or induction motor.

[0013] The in-wheel motor 2 shown in Fig. 1 is an outer rotor type motor in which a rotor is provided on the outer periphery of a stator, and includes a rotor cover 2a that rotates integrally with the rotor. A brake disc 7 formed in an annular shape is integrated into the rotor cover 2a on the vehicle body 3 side. A brake caliper 8 is provided on the outer periphery of the brake disc 7, and is configured to apply a braking torque corresponding to the frictional force between the brake caliper 8 and the brake disc 7 to the drive wheel by clamping the brake disc 7 with the brake caliper 8. Furthermore, a hub 9 for fixing a wheel (not shown) with bolts and nuts is formed on the outer side of the rotor cover 2a in the vehicle width direction.

[0014] A power supply (not shown) that supplies power to the in-wheel motor 2 configured as described above and that charges the power generated by the in-wheel motor 2 is mounted on the vehicle body 3. This power supply is similar to power supplies provided in conventionally known electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, and in order to output a direct current, an inverter is provided for converting the current into an alternating current. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the inverter is provided on the vehicle body 3. Therefore, three cables (three-phase cables) 10 are provided to pass the three-phase current generated by the inverter to the in-wheel motor 2. Note that the inverter may be provided inside the in-wheel motor 2, and in that case, a cable (PN cable) for electrically connecting the power supply and the inverter may be provided instead of the three-phase cable 10.

[0015] The above-mentioned cable 10 is arranged to be routed rearward of the suspension in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Furthermore, in order to prevent a tensile load from acting on the cable 10 even when the drive wheels are turned, the overall length of the cable 10 is made longer than the shortest distance between both ends of the cable 10 when the drive wheels are turned to the maximum extent. Furthermore, the strength of the connection between the vehicle body 3 and the cable 10 and the connection between the in-wheel motor 2 and the cable 10 is determined based on the load acting on these connections due to the vibration and turning of the drive wheels.

[0016] When the vehicle 1 configured as described above collides with an obstacle at the front part to the right of the center in the vehicle width direction, there is a possibility that the suspension 4 or the connection part between the tie rod 6 and the knuckle 5 will break and the vehicle will derail. Note that, as a result of a collision experiment, in the event of such a collision, the part supporting the upper end of the suspension 4 will not break and will remain held by the vehicle body 3.

[0017] Therefore, the in-wheel motor vehicle 1 in the embodiment of the present invention is configured to prevent the cable 10 from breaking when the drive wheel provided with the in-wheel motor 2 derails as described above. Specifically, a connecting member 11 is provided to prevent the drive wheel from separating from the vehicle body 3 when the connection between the suspension 4 or the tie rod 6 and the knuckle 5 breaks and the wheel derails.

[0018] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration, and the connecting member 11 shown in Fig. 2 is arranged rearward of the suspension 4 on the vehicle 1, with one end fixed to the vehicle body 3 by a bolt or the like, and the other end fixed to the knuckle 5 by a bolt or the like. Also, the connecting member 11 is configured to be bendable.

[0019] Furthermore, the connecting member 11 is formed to be longer than the shortest distance between the attachment part of the connecting member 11 to the vehicle body 3 and the attachment part of the connecting member 11 to the knuckle 5 when the suspension 4 is displaced to its maximum and the drive wheels are steered to its maximum, and is also formed to be shorter than the overall length of the cable 10.

[0020] Furthermore, the connecting member 11 is configured to have a strength sufficient to absorb the weight of the drive wheel including the in-wheel motor 2 and the kinetic energy of the drive wheel calculated from the speed at the time of collision. In other words, the connecting member 11 is configured to have a strength sufficient not to break even if the connecting member 11 is stretched when the drive wheel derails.

[0021] As described above, by connecting the in-wheel motor 2 and the vehicle body 3 by the connecting member 11, even if a drive wheel derails, it is possible to prevent the derailed drive wheel and the vehicle body 3 from separating from each other by more than the full length of the connecting member 11. That is, by setting the full length of the connecting member 11 to a length less than the full length of the cable 10, it is possible to prevent a tensile load from acting on the cable 10 when the wheel derails, and to prevent the cable 10 from breaking. In other words, the cable 10 can be set to a strength corresponding to the vibration and steering of the drive wheel as in the conventional case, and it is possible to prevent the connection part from becoming large.

[0022] As described above, the suspension 4 is held by the vehicle body 3 even if the vehicle 1 collides with an obstacle ahead and derails. Therefore, by arranging the connecting member 11 rearward of the suspension 4, it is possible to prevent a load that exceeds an expected range from being applied to the connecting member 11 due to contact between the suspension 4 and the connecting member 11 when the vehicle derails. In other words, it is possible to prevent an excessive tensile load from being applied to the cable 10 due to breakage of the connecting member 11, etc.

[0023] Furthermore, by routing the cable 10 rearward of the suspension 4, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a tensile load is applied to the cable 10 before the connecting member 11 can bear the weight of the derailed drive wheel due to a part of the cable 10 unintentionally getting caught on the suspension 4 when the wheel derails.

[0024] It should be noted that the connecting member 11 in the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to connecting the in-wheel motor 2 and the vehicle body 3 as long as it can suppress the application of a tensile load to the cable 10. Figures 3 and 4 show an example of another configuration. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, a socket 3a is formed in the in-wheel motor 2, and a motor-side connector 10a connected to the socket 3a is formed at one end of the cable 10. This motor-side connector 10a is formed based on, for example, protection class IPXXB.

[0025] The motor side connector 10a and the vehicle body 3 are connected by the connecting member 11. The strength of the connecting member 11 is formed to be higher than the strength of the fitting portion between the socket 3a and the motor side connector 10a. In other words, when the connecting member 11 is pulled in the direction in which the motor side connector 10a is pulled out of the socket 3a, the connecting portion between the motor side connector 10a and the socket 3a is broken without breaking the connecting member 11. Note that, as in the above example, the connecting member 11 is formed to be shorter than the length of the cable 10, and the connecting member 11 and the cable 10 are arranged on the rear side of the vehicle 1 relative to the suspension 4.

[0026] As described above, by connecting the motor side connector 10a and the vehicle body 3 via the connecting member 11, when the vehicle derails as shown in Fig. 4, the motor side connector 10a is pulled out of the socket 3a by the connecting member 11. That is, the distance between the vehicle body 3 and the motor side connector 10a can be prevented from becoming greater than the total length of the connecting member 11. As a result, it is possible to prevent a tensile load from acting on the cable 10, which is formed to have a total length longer than the connecting member 11, and thus prevent the cable 10 from breaking.

[0027] In the above-described example, the connecting member 11 is provided so as to break the connection between the in-wheel motor 2 and the cable 10, but the connecting member 11 may be provided so as to break the connection between the vehicle body 3 and the cable 10. An example of such a configuration is shown in Figures 5 and 6, and in the example shown here, a socket 3a is formed in the vehicle body 3, and a power supply connector 10b connected to the socket 3a is formed at the end of the cable 10. This power supply connector 10b is formed based on, for example, protection class IPXXB.

[0028] The power supply connector 10b and the in-wheel motor 2 are connected by a connecting member 11. The strength of the connecting member 11 is greater than the strength of the fitting portion between the socket 3a and the power supply connector 10b. In other words, when the connecting member 11 is pulled in the direction in which the power supply connector 10b is pulled out of the socket 3a, the connecting portion between the power supply connector 10b and the socket 3a breaks without breaking the connecting member 11. As in the above example, the connecting member 11 is formed to be shorter than the length of the cable 10, and the connecting member 11 and the cable 10 are arranged rearward of the suspension 4 in the vehicle 1.

[0029] As described above, by connecting the power supply connector 10b and the in-wheel motor 2 via the connecting member 11, in the event of a wheel derailment as shown in Fig. 6, the power supply connector 10b is pulled out of the socket 3a by the connecting member 11. In other words, the distance between the in-wheel motor 2 and the power supply connector 10b can be prevented from becoming greater than the full length of the connecting member 11. As a result, it is possible to prevent a tensile load from acting on the cable 10, which is formed to have a total length longer than the connecting member 11, and to prevent the cable 10 from breaking.

[0030] In addition, the in-wheel motor in the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to being provided on the front wheel, but may be provided on the rear wheel, in which case the connecting member and cable may be arranged further forward of the suspension on the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1. In-wheel motor vehicle 2 In-wheel motor 2b,3a socket 3. Body 4. Suspension 5 Knuckles 6 Tie rod 10 Cable 10a Motor side connector 10b Power connector 11 Connecting members

Claims

[Claim 1] An in-wheel motor vehicle including a drive wheel, an in-wheel motor provided inside the drive wheel and outputting torque to the drive wheel, a power source provided on a vehicle body, and a cable electrically connecting the power source and the in-wheel motor, a suspension having an upper end held by the vehicle body and supporting the in-wheel motor so as to be movable up and down; a connecting member connected to the vehicle body and the in-wheel motor, or connected to a power supply side connector that attaches the cable to the power supply and the in-wheel motor, or connected to a motor side connector that attaches the cable to the in-wheel motor and the vehicle body, The connecting member is provided on the inner side of the suspension in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and is formed to be bendable, The length of the connecting member is longer than the shortest distance between the mounting portion of the connecting member on the vehicle body side and the mounting portion of the connecting member on the in-wheel motor side when the suspension is displaced to the maximum and the drive wheels are steered to the maximum, and is shorter than the cable. An in-wheel motor vehicle.

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