In-vehicle Structure of Electrical Equipment

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle structure of an electrical instrument that can satisfactorily protect a connector against loads inputted from vehicle body-constituting members, while keeping a bracket provided to protect the connector to the minimum size.SOLUTION: In an on-vehicle structure 10, an electrical instrument 8 is arranged at a position deviated in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle 1 with respect to a dash panel 6 and a cowl 7. A bracket 30 has: leg parts 32 fastened to a vehicle body-side constituting surface 9a and an upper surface 9b of the electrical instrument 8; a vehicle body-side bracket parts 34 arranged at positions away in the longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle body-side constituting surface 9a of the electrical instrument 8 through the leg parts 32; and an upper bracket part 36 arranged to incline with respect to the upper surface 9b while separating away upward with respect to the upper surface 9b of the electrical instrument 8 through the leg parts 32. In a side view from a vehicle lateral side, a connector 20 is arranged closer to a lower side than a virtual extension line L of the upper bracket part 36.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle structure of an electric device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an in-vehicle structure of an electric device having a protection structure as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below has been provided. The protection structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is for protecting wiring components for supplying current to an electronic control unit disposed in a compartment at the front part of a vehicle body. A protection member for protecting the wiring components is disposed so as to face the rear surface of the electronic control unit to which the wiring components are connected and sandwich the wiring components between the rear surface and the protection member, and a fastener for fastening the protection member to the electronic control unit is provided so as to be operated from above the protection member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, when configured as in Patent Document 1 above, when an impact due to a collision is applied to the vehicle, the connector and the bracket (protector) are sandwiched between the vehicle body and the main body of the electronic control unit, and a large load acts thereon. Therefore, when configured as in Patent Document 1, in order to protect the connector, it is necessary to increase the strength of the bracket, such as increasing the plate thickness of the bracket or devising the shape of the bracket. When configured in this way, there is a problem that the in-vehicle structure of the electric device becomes larger in size due to the increase in weight, and fuel consumption deteriorates and manufacturing costs increase.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle structure of an electric device that can sufficiently protect a connector against a load input from a vehicle body component provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction during a collision, while minimizing the size of a bracket provided for protecting the connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The present invention relates to an in-vehicle structure of an electric device in a front compartment, comprising a structure disposed in the front compartment, an electric device disposed on the structure, a connector provided so as to incline in the vehicle front-rear direction above the electric device, and a bracket for protecting the connector. The electric device is disposed at a position deviated in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to a vehicle body component provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction. The bracket has a vehicle body side component surface located on the vehicle body side component side among the side surfaces constituting the electric device, a leg portion fastened to the upper surface, a vehicle body side bracket portion disposed at a position away from the vehicle body side component surface of the electric device in the vehicle front-rear direction via the leg portion, and an upper bracket portion disposed so as to incline with respect to the upper surface at a position above and away from the upper surface of the electric device via the leg portion. In a state viewed from the side of the vehicle side, the connector is disposed below an imaginary extension line of the upper bracket portion.

[0007] The in-vehicle structure of the electric device according to the present invention arranges the connector so as to incline above the electric device and covers the connector with an upper bracket portion forming a bracket. As a result, compared with the case of attaching the connector in an upright posture as in the prior art, it is possible to realize an in-vehicle structure of an electric device that can sufficiently protect the connector against a load input from a vehicle body component provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction during a collision, while suppressing the size of the portion covered with the bracket for protecting the connector.

[0008] (2) The in-vehicle structure of the electrical equipment of the present invention is such that the connector is electrically connected to the harness, a part including the connection side of the connector to the harness and the harness are covered by the bracket, and the remaining part of the connector is exposed from the bracket. This is preferably a characteristic feature.

[0009] By configuring the in-vehicle structure of the electrical equipment of the present invention as in (2) above, it is possible to protect not only the connector but also the harness with the bracket while suppressing the size of the portion covered by the bracket to protect the connector.

[0010] (3) The in-vehicle structure of the electrical equipment of the present invention is preferably characterized in that a harness fixing portion for fixing the harness is provided on the bracket and protrudes upward.

[0011] By configuring the in-vehicle structure of the electrical equipment of the present invention as in (3) above, while fixing the harness above the bracket, the harness fixing portion can be utilized as a configuration for exerting a buffering action against an external force input from above.

[0012] (4) The in-vehicle structure of the electrical equipment of the present invention is preferably characterized in that the upper bracket portion is located at a position displaced in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to a cowl provided so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle and is arranged at a position below the cowl.

[0013] By configuring the in-vehicle structure of the electrical equipment of the present invention as in (4) above, it is possible to buffer the external force input from the cowl at the upper bracket portion and protect the connector.

[0014] (5) The in-vehicle structure of the electrical equipment of the present invention is preferably characterized in that the harness connected to the connector is arranged using the space formed between the electrical equipment and the bracket.

[0015] By adopting the in-vehicle structure of the electrical equipment of the present invention as described in (5) above, while utilizing the space formed between the electrical equipment and the bracket for routing the harness, the harness can be protected by the bracket.

[0016] (6) The in-vehicle structure of the electrical equipment of the present invention is characterized in that the connector has a covered portion covered by the upper bracket portion and an exposed portion exposed from the upper bracket portion, the width of the covered portion is smaller than the width of the exposed portion, and the width of the portion covering the connector in the upper bracket portion is smaller than the width of the exposed portion.

[0017] By adopting the in-vehicle structure of the electrical equipment of the present invention as described in (6) above, while further suppressing the size of the bracket, the connector can be sufficiently protected from the load input from the vehicle body component provided to extend in the vehicle width direction during a collision.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, the above-described problems can be solved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, an in-vehicle structure 10 of an electric device according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "in-vehicle structure 10"), and a vehicle 1 adopting the in-vehicle structure 10 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating positions and directions such as up and down, left and right, width direction, front and rear directions, etc. will be described based on the posture in which the electric device is mounted on the vehicle, unless otherwise specified.

[0021] The vehicle 1 can be, for example, a hybrid vehicle or the like. The vehicle 1 is configured such that various structures are arranged in a front compartment 3 provided at the front part of the vehicle body 2. For example, when the vehicle 1 is a hybrid vehicle, structures such as an engine, a generator, a drive motor, a gear mechanism, and a differential gear are arranged in the front compartment 3. In the present embodiment, a power unit 5 in which a generator and a drive motor are housed and integrated in a unit case 4 together with a gear mechanism, a differential gear, etc. is arranged in the front compartment 3 as a structure.

[0022] The vehicle 1 has a passenger compartment at a position adjacent to the front compartment 3 in the front-rear direction. The vehicle 1 is configured such that the space between the front compartment 3 and the passenger compartment is separated by a dash panel 6 (a vehicle body component) provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction. Further, the vehicle 1 includes a cowl 7 (a vehicle body component) provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction in the same manner as the dash panel 6.

[0023] The power unit 5 (structure) is arranged at a position deviated from the dash panel 6 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. An electric device 8 is arranged above the power unit 5. In the present embodiment, the electric device 8 is a PCU (Power Control Unit) for controlling the power unit 5. The power unit 5 is arranged inside the front compartment 3 in a posture in which the top surface is inclined so as to have an upward slope toward the dash panel 6 side.

[0024] Similar to the power unit 5, the electrical device 8 is disposed at a position deviated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 with respect to the dash panel 6. Further, the electrical device 8 is at a position deviated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 with respect to the cowl 7 and is disposed on the lower side with respect to the cowl 7. The electrical device 8 includes an inverter, a microcomputer, etc. for driving the drive motor inside a case 9 forming its outer shell. The case 9 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a vehicle body side configuration surface 9a facing the sides of the dash panel 6 and the cowl 7, and an upper surface 9b. The electrical device 8 has a connection portion 9c for connecting the connector 20 to the upper surface 9b of the case 9.

[0025] The vehicle-mounted structure 10 is provided with a connector 20 and a bracket 30 in addition to the power unit 5 (structure) and the electrical device 8 described above. The vehicle-mounted structure 10 is configured by mounting these components in the front compartment 3.

[0026] The connector 20 is electrically connected to a connection portion 9c provided at the upper part of the electrical device 8. The connector 20 is installed so as to be inclined in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the connector 20 is installed so as to have a downward slope as it faces the dash panel 6 and the cowl 7 side. The connector 20 is electrically connected to a high-voltage harness 40 (harness).

[0027] The connector 20 has a covered portion 22 covered by a bracket 30 to be described in detail later and an exposed portion 24. The covered portion 22 is a portion covered by an upper bracket portion 36 forming the bracket 30. The exposed portion 24 is a portion exposed from the upper bracket portion 36 forming the bracket 30. The connector 20 is formed in a shape in which the width of the covered portion 22 is smaller than the width of the exposed portion 24.

[0028] The bracket 30 is a member provided to protect the connector 20. By attaching the bracket 30 to the case 9 that forms the electrical device 8, the connector 20 and the high-voltage harness 40 connected thereto are arranged in the space formed between the electrical device 8, thereby protecting the connector 20 and the high-voltage harness 40. The bracket 30 has a leg portion 32, a vehicle body side bracket portion 34, an upper bracket portion 36, and a harness fixing portion 38. The bracket 30 is formed by integrally and continuously forming the leg portion 32, the vehicle body side bracket portion 34, and the upper bracket portion 36, for example, by processing a single steel plate.

[0029] The leg portion 32 is fastened to the vehicle body side configuration surface 9a and the upper surface 9b that form the surface facing the dash panel 6 and the cowl 7 in the case 9 that constitutes the electrical device 8. In the present embodiment, it has a first leg portion 32a fastened to the vehicle body side configuration surface 9a and a second leg portion 32b fastened to the upper surface 9b. The first leg portion 32a and the second leg portion 32b are each fastened to the vehicle body side configuration surface 9a and the second leg portion 32b, for example, by using a fastener such as a bolt.

[0030] The vehicle body side bracket portion 34 is a planar portion arranged at a position separated from the vehicle body side configuration surface 9a of the electrical device 8 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 via the leg portion 32 (the first leg portion 32a). The vehicle body side bracket portion 34 constitutes a surface substantially parallel to the vehicle body side configuration surface 9a. The vehicle body side bracket portion 34 is arranged at a position separated from the vehicle body side configuration surface 9a by the length of the leg portion 32. Thereby, a space is formed between the vehicle body side bracket portion 34 and the vehicle body side configuration surface 9a.

[0031] The upper bracket portion 36 is a planar portion arranged at a position spaced upward from the upper surface 9b of the electric device 8 via the leg portion 32 (second leg portion 32b). The upper bracket portion 36 is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the upper surface 9b of the electric device 8. The upper bracket portion 36 is arranged at a position spaced upward from the upper surface 9b by the length of the leg portion 32 (second leg portion 32b). Thereby, a space is formed between the upper bracket portion 36 and the upper surface 9b, and the connector 20 is arranged in the space.

[0032] The upper bracket portion 36 has a connector covering portion 36a and a harness covering portion 36b. The connector covering portion 36a is a portion that covers the connector 20 from above. The connector covering portion 36a covers a part of the connector 20. Specifically, the connector covering portion 36a covers the covering portion 22 which is a part of the region constituting the connector 20, and does not cover the exposed portion 24. The harness covering portion 36b forms a region continuous with the vehicle body side bracket portion 34 with respect to the connector covering portion 36a, and is a portion that covers the high voltage harness 40 connected to the covering portion 22. The upper bracket portion 36 is formed such that the width (length in the vehicle width direction) of the harness covering portion 36b is smaller than the width of the connector covering portion 36a.

[0033] The harness fixing portion 38 is for fixing the low voltage harness 42 (harness) to the bracket 30. The harness fixing portion 38 may be any that can fix the low voltage harness 42 to the bracket 30. For example, a fixing member such as a clamp that can sandwich and hold the low voltage harness 42, or a member such as a clamp previously attached to the low voltage harness 42 can be connected to the bracket 30 to fix the low voltage harness 42.

[0034] The harness fixing portion 38 may be provided at various locations such as the leg portion 32 forming the bracket 30, the vehicle body side bracket portion 34, and the upper bracket portion 36. In the present embodiment, the harness fixing portion 38 is provided so as to protrude upward in the upper bracket portion 36. Thereby, the bracket 30 can fix the low-voltage harness 42 arranged to pass above the upper bracket portion 36 by the harness fixing portion 38 so as not to be displaced. Further, the harness fixing portion 38 is provided above the second leg portion 32b. Thereby, the harness fixing portion 38 can achieve both buffering against input from above and bracing.

[0035] When the vehicle-mounted structure 10 described above is configured, the connector 20 is disposed below the virtual extension line L of the upper bracket portion 36 in a state viewed from the side of the vehicle 1. Further, the covering portion 22, which is a part of the region including the connection side with the high-voltage harness 40, of the connector 20 is covered by the bracket 30 (the connector covering portion 36a of the upper bracket portion 36). The exposed portion 24, which is the region (the remaining region) on the side opposite to the connection side with the high-voltage harness 40, of the connector 20 is exposed from the bracket 30. Further, the high-voltage harness 40 connected to the connector 20 is routed using the space formed between the electric device 8 and the bracket 30. Specifically, the high-voltage harness 40 is routed through the space between the harness covering portion 36b of the upper bracket portion 36 and the upper surface 9b of the electric device 8, and the space between the vehicle body side bracket portion 34 and the vehicle body side component surface 9a of the electric device 8. Thereby, the bracket 30 can protect not only the bracket 30 but also the high-voltage harness 40.

[0036] ≪Regarding the operation and effect≫ The vehicle-mounted structure 10 of the electric device of the present embodiment described above has the following characteristic configurations (a) to (f). Thereby, the vehicle-mounted structure 10 of the electric device can achieve the following specific effects.

[0037] (a) The in-vehicle structure 10 of this embodiment includes a power unit 5 (structure) disposed in the front compartment 3, an electrical device 8 arranged on the power unit 5, a connector 20 provided so as to incline in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 above the electrical device 8, and a bracket 30 for protecting the connector 20. The electrical device 8 is arranged at a position deviated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 with respect to a vehicle body component (dash panel 6 and cowl 7) provided so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle 1. The bracket 30 includes legs 32 fastened to a vehicle body side component surface 9a and an upper surface 9b that are located on the vehicle body side component (dash panel 6 and cowl 7) side among the side surfaces constituting the electrical device 8, a vehicle body side bracket portion 34 arranged at a position separated from the vehicle body side component surface 9a of the electrical device 8 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 via the legs 32, and an upper bracket portion 36 arranged so as to incline with respect to the upper surface 9b at a position separated upward from the upper surface 9b of the electrical device 8 via the legs 32. In a state viewed from the side of the vehicle, the connector 20 is arranged below the virtual extension line L of the upper bracket portion 36.

[0038] The in-vehicle structure 10 according to this embodiment arranges the connector 20 so as to incline above the electrical device 8 and covers the connector 20 with the upper bracket portion 36 forming the bracket 30. Thereby, compared with the case of attaching the connector 20 in an upright posture as in the prior art, while suppressing the size of the portion covered by the bracket 30 to protect the connector 20, an in-vehicle structure 10 that can sufficiently protect the connector 20 against the load input from a vehicle body component (dash panel 6 and cowl 7) provided so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle 1 during a collision can be realized.

[0039] (b) In the in-vehicle structure 10 of this embodiment, the connector 20 is electrically connected to the high-voltage harness 40. A part of the connector 20 including the connection side with the high-voltage harness 40 and the high-voltage harness 40 are covered by the bracket 30, and the remaining part of the connector 20 is exposed from the bracket 30.

[0040] By adopting the configuration as described in (b) above, the vehicle-mounted structure 10 of the present embodiment can protect the high-voltage harness 40 in addition to the connector 20 by the bracket 30 while suppressing the size of the portion covered by the bracket 30 to protect the connector 20.

[0041] (c) In the vehicle-mounted structure 10 of the present embodiment, a harness fixing portion 38 for fixing the low-voltage harness 42 is provided on the bracket 30 and is provided so as to protrude upward.

[0042] By adopting the configuration as described in (c) above, the vehicle-mounted structure 10 of the present embodiment can fix the low-voltage harness 42 above the bracket 30 and utilize the harness fixing portion 38 as a configuration for exerting a buffering action against the input of external force from above.

[0043] (d) In the vehicle-mounted structure 10 of the present embodiment, the upper bracket portion 36 is arranged at a position deviated in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 with respect to the cowl 7 provided so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle 1 and is arranged at a position below the cowl 7.

[0044] By adopting the configuration as described in (d) above, the vehicle-mounted structure 10 of the present embodiment can buffer the external force input from the cowl 7 at the upper bracket portion 36 and protect the connector 20.

[0045] (e) In the vehicle-mounted structure 10 of the present embodiment, the high-voltage harness 40 connected to the connector 20 is arranged using the space formed between the electric device 8 and the bracket 30.

[0046] By adopting the configuration as described in (e) above, the vehicle-mounted structure 10 of the present embodiment can utilize the space formed between the electric device 8 and the bracket 30 for the routing of the high-voltage harness 40 and protect the high-voltage harness 40 by the bracket 30.

[0047] (f) The in-vehicle structure 10 of this embodiment has a covered portion 22 covered by the upper bracket portion 36 and an exposed portion 24 exposed from the upper bracket portion 36. The width of the covered portion 22 is smaller than the width of the exposed portion 24, and the width of the portion covering the connector 20 in the upper bracket portion 36 is made smaller than the width of the exposed portion 24.

[0048] By configuring the in-vehicle structure 10 of this embodiment as described in (f) above, while further suppressing the size of the bracket 30, the connector 20 can be sufficiently protected from the load input from the vehicle body constituent members (dash panel 6 and cowl 7) provided so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle 1 during a collision.

[0049] ≪Modification Example≫ The in-vehicle structure 10 of the electric device exemplified in the above embodiment is merely an example showing the present invention. Without departing from the gist of the present invention, for example, the configurations according to (a) to (f) described above may be different from those exemplified in the above embodiment, or in addition to the configurations included in (a) to (f), or instead of the configurations included in (a) to (f), other configurations may be provided, or a configuration in which some configurations are omitted may be adopted.

[0050] Specifically, the in-vehicle structure 10 exemplified in the above embodiment has a configuration in which a part of the connector 20 including the connection side with the high-voltage harness 40 and the high-voltage harness 40 are covered by the bracket 30 and the remaining part is exposed as described in (b) above, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the connection side of the connector 20 with the high-voltage harness 40 does not face the dash panel 6 or the cowl 7 side, a configuration may be adopted in which a portion of the connector 20 other than the connection side with the high-voltage harness 40 and located on the dash panel 6 or the cowl 7 side is covered by the bracket 30. Further, the in-vehicle structure 10 may be configured such that the high-voltage harness 40 is not covered by the bracket 30 but is covered by other covering members or the like.

[0051] The in-vehicle structure 10 illustrated in the above embodiment may be configured not to include the harness fixing portion 38 for fixing the low-voltage harness 42 as in (c) above, or the harness fixing portion 38 may be provided at a location different from the bracket 30. Further, the in-vehicle structure 10 may be configured such that, instead of or in addition to the harness fixing portion 38, the bracket 30 is provided with a configuration capable of buffering an external force acting from the vehicle body 2 side toward the bracket 30.

[0052] The in-vehicle structure 10 illustrated in the above embodiment is such that, as in (d) above, the upper bracket portion 36 is arranged at a position below the cowl 7, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the in-vehicle structure 10 may be configured to provide another portion arranged at a position below the cowl 7 instead of the upper bracket portion 36.

[0053] The in-vehicle structure 10 illustrated in the above embodiment is not limited to the configuration in which the high-voltage harness 40 connected to the connector 20 is arranged using the space formed between the electric device 8 and the bracket 30 as in (e) above. For example, the in-vehicle structure 10 may be configured not to use the space formed between the electric device 8 and the bracket 30 for arranging the high-voltage harness 40.

[0054] The in-vehicle structure 10 illustrated in the above embodiment is not limited to the configuration in which the width of the portion covering the connector 20 in the upper bracket portion 36 is smaller than the width of the exposed portion 24 as in (f) above. For example, the in-vehicle structure 10 may be configured such that the width of the portion covering the connector 20 in the upper bracket portion 36 is equal to or greater than the width of the exposed portion 24.

[0055] The present invention is not limited to those shown as the above-described embodiments, modifications, etc., and there may be other embodiments within the scope not departing from the teaching and spirit thereof. The constituent elements of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Also, any constituent element of the embodiment may be arbitrarily combined with any constituent element described in the means for solving the problem or a constituent element embodying any constituent element described in the means for solving the problem. Regarding these, there is an intention to obtain rights in the amendment or divisional application of the present application, etc.

Industrial Applicability

[0056] The present invention can be suitably used in the entire vehicle-mounted structure of electrical equipment in the front compartment.

Explanation of Signs

[0057] 1: Vehicle 2: Vehicle body 3: Front compartment 5: Power unit (structure) 6: Dash panel 7: Cowl 8: Electrical equipment 9a: Vehicle body side configuration surface 9b: Upper surface 10: Vehicle-mounted structure 20: Connector 22: Covered portion 24: Exposed portion 30: Bracket 32: Leg portion 34: Vehicle body side bracket portion 36: Upper bracket portion 38: Harness fixing portion 40: High voltage harness 42: Low voltage harness L: Virtual extension line

Claims

1. An in-vehicle structure of an electrical device in a front compartment, comprising: A structure disposed in the front compartment; An electrical device disposed on the structure; A connector provided so as to incline in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle above the electrical device; A bracket for protecting the connector; characterized by comprising: The electrical device is disposed at a position offset in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to a vehicle body component provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction; The bracket comprises: A vehicle body side component surface located on the vehicle body side component side among the side surfaces constituting the electrical device, and legs fastened to the upper surface of the electrical device; A vehicle body side bracket portion disposed at a position separated from the vehicle body side component surface of the electrical device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle via the legs; An upper bracket portion disposed so as to incline with respect to the upper surface at a position separated upward from the upper surface of the electrical device via the legs; characterized by comprising: In a state viewed from the side of the vehicle, the connector is disposed below an imaginary extension line of the upper bracket portion. An in-vehicle structure of an electrical device is characterized by this.

2. The connector is electrically connected to a harness, A part including the connection side of the connector with the harness and the harness are covered by the bracket, and the remaining part of the connector is exposed from the bracket. The in-vehicle structure of an electrical device according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

3. A harness fixing portion for fixing the harness is provided on the bracket and protrudes upward. The in-vehicle structure of an electrical device according to claim 1 or 2 is characterized by this.

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