Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a technique which secures safety of a power conversion device to be mounted on a vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle comprises: a pair of side members; a rear cross member which extends from one of the pair of side members to the other; a battery; a first power conversion device which is connected with the battery; a first relay which is switched between an energized state of the battery and the first power conversion device and a non-energized state; a second power conversion device which is connected with the battery in parallel with the first power conversion device; and a second relay which is switched between an energized state of the battery and the second power conversion device and a non-energized state. The first relay makes the battery and the first power conversion device be in the energized state during traveling of the vehicle, and the second relay makes the battery and the second power conversion device be in the non-energized state during traveling of the vehicle. The first power conversion device is arranged at a forward side of the vehicle relative to the rear cross member and between the pair of side members in the vehicle width direction. The second power conversion device can be arranged at a rear side of the vehicle relative to the rear cross member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] Citation Document 1 discloses a vehicle including a power converter connected in an energized state to a battery during travel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above - mentioned technology does not disclose a configuration in which two power converters connected in parallel to each other are arranged with respect to a battery.

[0005] This specification provides a technology for mounting on a vehicle while ensuring the safety of a power converter in a vehicle including two power converters connected in parallel to each other with respect to a battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a pair of side members spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a rear cross member extending from one of the pair of side members to the other, a battery, a first power converter connected to the battery, a first relay for switching the battery and the first power converter between an energized state and a non-energized state, a second power converter connected to the battery in parallel with the first power converter, and a second relay for switching the battery and the second power converter between an energized state and a non-energized state. The first relay energizes the battery and the first power converter during running of the vehicle, and the second relay de-energizes the battery and the second power converter during running of the vehicle. The first power converter is disposed in front of the vehicle relative to the rear cross member and between the pair of side members in the vehicle width direction, and the second power converter may be disposed behind the vehicle relative to the rear cross member.

[0007] According to this configuration, by separately arranging two power converters depending on whether they are energized during running of the vehicle, the size of each power converter can be reduced. The first power converter that is energized from the battery during running of the vehicle can be disposed in a region protected by the pair of side members and the rear cross member. Thereby, the first power converter can be protected during a collision of the vehicle. On the other hand, by disposing the second power converter that is not energized with the battery behind the rear cross member during running of the vehicle, the second power converter does not need to occupy the space in front of the rear cross member. The safety of the first power converter can be ensured and it can be mounted on the vehicle.

[0008] A second aspect is the first aspect described above, further including an electric cable connecting the battery and the first power converter, the electric cable through which a current flows from the battery to the first power converter during running of the vehicle. The terminal connected to the electric cable of the first power converter and the electric cable may be disposed in front of the vehicle relative to the rear cross member.

[0009] According to this configuration, the electric cable and the terminal that are energized during the running of the vehicle can be arranged in a region protected by a pair of side members and a rear cross member. Thereby, the safety of the electric cable and the terminal can be ensured and it can be mounted on the vehicle.

[0010] In a third aspect, in the above-described first or second aspect, the first power converter may be arranged in a passenger compartment for passengers of the vehicle.

[0011] According to this configuration, the first power converter can be arranged in a region surrounded by a pair of side members, a rear cross member, and a structure constituting the passenger compartment. Thereby, the first power converter can be protected by a pair of side members, a rear cross member, and a specific cross member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a battery 12, power converters 14 and 16, relays 18 and 20, electric cables 22, 24, 32, 34, and a charging inlet 40. The battery 12 supplies power to electrical equipment mounted on the vehicle 10. The electrical equipment includes a motor for running, an air conditioner, and the like.

[0014] The power converter 14 is electrically connected to the battery 12 via the electrical cable 22. The power converter 14 converts the DC power of the battery 12 into power for supplying the electrical equipment of the vehicle 10. The power converter 14 includes an inverter and a converter. A relay 18 is arranged on the electrical cable 22. The relay 18 is arranged between the battery 12 and the power converter 14. The relay 18 switches between an energized state and a non-energized state. In the relay 18, the energized state and the non-energized state are switched by a main control device (not shown) of the vehicle 10. In the energized state, the relay 18 energizes the battery 12 and the power converter 14 via the electrical cable 22. In the non-energized state, the relay 18 cuts off the energization between the battery 12 and the power converter 14.

[0015] The power converter 14 is electrically connected to the charging inlet 40 via the electrical cable 24. The charging inlet 40 can be connected to the power cable of an external power source. When a power cable of an external power source is connected to the charging inlet 40, the power converter 14 converts the power supplied from the external power source into power for charging the battery 12. The power converter 14 converts the bi-directional power in the direction from the battery 12 to the electrical equipment and in the direction from the charging inlet 40 to the battery 12.

[0016] The power converter 16 is electrically connected to the battery 12 via the electrical cable 32. The power converter 16 and the power converter 14 are connected in parallel to the battery 12. A relay 20 is arranged on the electrical cable 32. The relay 20 is arranged between the battery 12 and the power converter 16. The relay 20 switches between an energized state and a non-energized state. In the relay 20, the energized state and the non-energized state are switched by a main control device (not shown) of the vehicle 10. In the energized state, the relay 20 energizes the battery 12 and the power converter 16 via the electrical cable 32. In the non-energized state, the relay 20 cuts off the energization between the battery 12 and the power converter 16.

[0017] The power converter 16 is electrically connected to the charging inlet 40 via the electrical cable 34. The power converter 16 converts the power supplied from the external power source into power for charging the battery 12 in a state where the power cable of the external power source is connected to the charging inlet 40. The power converter 16 converts the power in one direction from the charging inlet 40 toward the battery 12.

[0018] (Switching of relays 18 and 20) In the vehicle 10, when the vehicle 10 is stopped and the power cable of the external power source is connected to the charging inlet 40 and the relays 18 and 20 are maintained in the energized state, the power of the external power source is converted by the two power converters 14 and 16 and supplied to the battery 12. Thereby, the battery 12 is charged. In this case, the electrical cables 22, 24, 32, and 34 are energized. According to this configuration, compared with the case of using one power converter 14, the charging of the battery 12 can be accelerated. Further, by arranging the two power converters 14 and 16 separately, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of one power converter.

[0019] For example, when the vehicle 10 is powered on and the electrical equipment mounted on the vehicle 10 is being used, such as when the vehicle 10 is running, the relay 18 is maintained in the energized state, while the relay 20 is maintained in the non-energized state. In this case, the electrical cables 32 and 34 are not energized. The electrical cable 22 is energized. The electrical cable 24 is not energized. The power from the battery 12 is supplied to the power converter 14 via the electrical cable 22. The power converter 14 converts the power from the battery 12 and supplies the power to the electrical equipment mounted on the vehicle 10 via the electrical cable 26 (see FIG. 2).

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 includes a pair of side members 52, 54 and a rear cross member 62. The pair of side members 52, 54 are respectively disposed at both ends in the vehicle width direction W. The side member 52 extends in the front-rear direction F. The side member 52 is a vehicle body frame member of the vehicle 10. The side member 52 is formed, for example, in a closed cross-sectional structure. The side member 52 is configured by joining a plurality of members in the front-rear direction F. The side member 52 extends from the passenger compartment 100, which is the passenger space of the vehicle 10, in the front-rear direction F, beyond the rear end of the passenger compartment 100, to the cargo compartment 102 located behind the passenger compartment 100. The side member 54 has a similar configuration.

[0021] The rear cross member 62 extends from the side member 52 to the side member 54 in the vehicle width direction W. The rear cross member 62 is joined to each of the side members 52, 54. The rear cross member 62 is a vehicle body frame member. The rear cross member 62 is formed, for example, in a closed cross-sectional structure. The rear cross member 62 is disposed between the floor panels 72, 74. The floor panel 72 defines the bottom surface of the cargo compartment 102. The rear cross member 62 is joined to the front end of the floor panel 72. Each of the side members 52, 54 is joined to each of both ends in the vehicle width direction W of the floor panel 72.

[0022] Behind the floor panel 72, a bumper reinforcement or the like extending along the vehicle width direction W is disposed. However, behind the rear cross member 62, a frame member along the vehicle width direction W joined to the side member 52 and the side member 54 like the rear cross member 62 is not disposed. The rear cross member 62 is the frame member in the vehicle width direction W disposed at the rearmost position of the vehicle 10.

[0023] The rear cross member 62 is disposed at the rear end of the floor panel 74. The floor panel 74 defines the bottom surface of the passenger compartment 100. The passenger compartment 100 is the space between the floor panel 74 and the roof panel of the vehicle 10. A seat is attached to the floor panel 74. The floor panel 74 is disposed over the entire length of the passenger compartment 100 in the front-rear direction F. The floor panel 74 may be composed of two or more panels. In the passenger compartment 100, in addition to the side members 52, 54 and the rear cross member 62, the passengers are protected by structures of the vehicle 10 such as pillars extending in the vertical direction and the floor panel 74.

[0024] A cross member extending from the side member 52 to the side member 54 may be disposed in front of the rear cross member 62, similar to the rear cross member 62.

[0025] The power converter 14 and the relay 18 are disposed in front of the rear cross member 62. The power converter 14 is disposed, for example, above the floor panel 74. The battery 12 is disposed below the floor panel 74. The power converter 14 is electrically connected to the battery 12 by an electric cable 22 passing through the floor panel 74. The power converter 14 and the relay 18 are surrounded by the rear cross member 62 and a pair of side members 52, 54.

[0026] The power converter 14 and the relay 18 are connected to the electric cable 22 via a terminal 14a. The terminal 14a and the electric cable 22 are also surrounded by the rear cross member 62 and a pair of side members 52, 54, similar to the power converter 14. The power converter 14, the relay 18, the terminal 14a and the electric cable 22 are disposed in the passenger compartment 100.

[0027] A part of the electric cable 24 extending from the power converter 14 to the charging inlet 40 is routed outside the vehicle 10 from the side member 52.

[0028] On the one hand, the power converter 16 and the relay 20 are arranged behind the rear cross member 62. The power converter 16 and the relay 20 are attached to the floor panel 72. The electric cables 32 and 34 are arranged behind the rear cross member, similar to the power converter 16 and the relay 20. The power converter 16 and the relay 20 are arranged in the luggage compartment 102.

[0029] The power converter 14 is supplied with power from the battery 12 during the running of the vehicle 10. In the vehicle 10, the power converter 14 is surrounded by the rear cross member 62 and the pair of side members 52 and 54. Thereby, the power converter 14 can be protected by the rear cross member 62 and the pair of side members 52 and 54 during a collision of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, by arranging the power converter 14 in the passenger compartment 100, the power converter 14 can be protected more strongly. The same applies to the terminal 14a and the electric cable 22. As a result, in order to protect the power converter 14, it is not necessary to newly arrange a protection member such as a protector. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a space for mounting the protection member.

[0030] Furthermore, the power converter 14, the terminal 14a, and the electric cable 22 are arranged at a distance from the side members 52 and 54 toward the inside of the vehicle 10 in the vehicle width direction W in anticipation of the side members 52 and 54 deforming inward of the vehicle 10 during a collision of the vehicle 10, particularly a collision from the side. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the power converter 14, the terminal 14a, and the electric cable 22 from being damaged during a collision of the vehicle 10.

[0031] On the other hand, the power converter 16 that is not supplied with power during the running of the vehicle 10 is arranged behind the rear cross member 62. Also, by arranging the power converter 16 behind the rear cross member 62, it is possible to avoid the passenger compartment 100 being narrowed by the power converter 16.

[0032] Note that, in the vertical direction, at least a part of the power converter 14, the terminal 14a, and the electric cable 22 may or may not overlap with the side members 52, 54, and the rear cross member 62.

[0033] As described above, specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Also, the technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings can achieve a plurality of purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of those purposes itself has technical utility.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0034] 10: Vehicle, 12: Battery, 14, 16: Power converter, 14a: Terminal, 18, 20: Relay, 22, 24, 26, 32, 34: Electric cable, 40: Charging inlet, 52, 54: Side member, 62: Rear cross member, 72, 74: Floor panel, 100: Passenger compartment, 102: Cargo compartment

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: a pair of side members spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction; a rear cross member extending from one of the pair of side members to the other; a battery; a first power converter connected to the battery; a first relay for switching the battery and the first power converter between an energized state and a non-energized state; a second power converter connected to the battery in parallel with the first power converter, electrically connected to a charging inlet, and configured to convert electric power supplied from an external power source into electric power for charging the battery when a power cable of the external power source is connected to the charging inlet; a second relay for switching the battery and the second power converter between an energized state and a non-energized state; the first relay energizes the battery and the first power converter during running of the vehicle; the second relay de-energizes the battery and the second power converter during running of the vehicle; the first power converter is disposed in front of the vehicle with respect to the rear cross member and between the pair of side members in the vehicle width direction; the second power converter is disposed behind the vehicle with respect to the rear cross member.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising an electric cable connecting the battery and the first power converter, through which a current flows from the battery toward the first power converter during running of the vehicle. A terminal connected to the electric cable of the first power converter and the electric cable are disposed in front of the vehicle with respect to the rear cross member.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first power converter is disposed in a passenger compartment for passengers of the vehicle.

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