vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle which can enhance workability of exchange of a power storage device.SOLUTION: In a vehicle which comprises a plurality of wheels, a plurality of rotary electrical machinery which are provided on at least left and right of front wheels among the plurality of wheels, respectively and generate driving force or brake force independently, a power storage device which performs exchange of electric power between the plurality of rotary electrical machinery, left and right side members which extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction and a cross member which positions between the left and right wheels in a vehicle width direction and connects the left and right side members to each other in the vehicle width direction, it is configured to dispose the power storage device below the cross member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a suspension structure for an in-wheel motor in which a battery, which is an electricity storage device, is mounted on top of a subframe at the front of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-130979 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the battery is mounted on the subframe, the workability of replacing the battery may be reduced.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that can improve the workability of replacing an electricity storage device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the vehicle of the present invention is a vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels, a plurality of rotating electric machines provided on at least the left and right front wheels of the plurality of wheels and which independently generate driving force or braking force, an electric storage device which exchanges electric power between the plurality of rotating electric machines, left and right side members extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and a cross member located between the left and right front wheels in the vehicle width direction and connecting the left and right side members in the vehicle width direction, and characterized in that the electric storage device is arranged below the cross member.

[0007] This arrangement improves the ease of replacing the electricity storage device from below the vehicle by disposing the electricity storage device below the cross member located between the left and right front wheels in the vehicle width direction.

[0008] In the above, the power storage device may be fixed to the cross member.

[0009] This eliminates the need for a subframe for fixing the power storage device, thereby reducing weight and costs. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The vehicle of the present invention has the advantage of improving the ease of replacing the storage device by arranging the storage device below the cross member located between the left and right front wheels in the vehicle width direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view of the battery mounting structure in the vehicle according to the embodiment, seen from above the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a view of the battery mounting structure in the vehicle according to the embodiment, as seen from the front side of the vehicle. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of a freight vehicle as a vehicle of a comparative example, and Fig. 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of a freight vehicle as a vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Fig. 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of a passenger car as a vehicle of a comparative example, and Fig. 5(b) is a diagram showing an example of a passenger car as a vehicle according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment. The vehicle 1 according to the embodiment is provided with in-wheel motors that can individually control the torque applied to a plurality of wheels (drive wheels). The vehicle 1 according to the embodiment is provided with left and right front wheels 2FR, 2FL, left and right rear wheels 2RR, 2RL, in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL that are rotating electric machines provided on the left and right front wheels, a battery 4 that is an electricity storage device, an inverter 5, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 6, and the like.

[0014] The multiple wheels 2FR, 2FL, 2RR, and 2RL are each suspended from the body of the vehicle 1 via an independent suspension. In the following description, when the wheels 2FR, 2FL, 2RR, and 2RL are not particularly distinguished from one another, they are simply referred to as wheels 2. In-wheel motors 3FR and 3FL, which are multiple rotating electric machines, are provided inside the wheels 2FR and 2FL, respectively. In the following description, when the in-wheel motors 3FR and 3FL are not particularly distinguished from one another, they are simply referred to as in-wheel motors 3. The rotation of the in-wheel motors 3FR and 3FL is individually and independently controlled by the ECU 6, so that they generate driving force or braking force (regenerative braking force) independently for the multiple wheels 2FR and 2FL.

[0015] These in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL are configured, for example, by AC synchronous motors and are connected to the battery 4 via an inverter 5. Therefore, when the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL are driven, the DC power of the battery 4 is converted into AC power by the inverter 5, and the AC power is supplied to the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL, whereby the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL are powered and a drive torque is applied to the wheels 2FR, 2FL.

[0016] The in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL can also be controlled to regenerate by utilizing the rotational energy of the wheels 2FR, 2FL. That is, when the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL are generating power regeneratively, the rotational energy of the wheels 2FR, 2FL is converted into electrical energy by the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL, and the power generated at this time is stored in the battery 4 via the inverter 5. At this time, a braking torque based on the regenerated power is applied to the wheels 2FR, 2FL.

[0017] The inverter 5 is connected to an ECU 6, which is an electronic control device that controls the rotational state of the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL. Physically, the ECU 6 is an electronic circuit mainly made up of a well-known microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and an interface. The ECU 6 performs calculations using data input to the RAM and data stored in the ROM, and outputs the calculation results as command signals.

[0018] The ECU 6 is configured to receive inputs of detection signals from various sensors, such as wheel rotation speed sensors serving as rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of each wheel 2 and rotation angle sensors for detecting the rotation angle of the output shaft of the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL, as well as information signals from the inverter 5. Based on the signals input from the inverter 5 to the ECU 6, the output torque (motor torque) of the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL is calculated by the ECU 6. For example, when it is detected from the input signal from the inverter 5 that the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL are being powered, the amount of power or current value supplied to the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL at that time can be detected, and the motor torque of each of the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL can be calculated based on the amount of power or current value supplied to the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL. Furthermore, the rotation speed of each of the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL can also be calculated based on the current value used to control the rotation of the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL.

[0019] On the other hand, the ECU 6 is configured to output signals for controlling the rotation of each of the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL via the inverter 5. That is, the ECU 6 outputs to the inverter 5 control signals for controlling the current supplied to the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL in order to control the rotation (power running / regeneration) of the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL or the current recovered from the in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL.

[0020] 1 shows an example of a two-wheel drive vehicle in which in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL are provided on the left and right front wheels 2FR, 2FL, respectively, but the vehicle may also be a four-wheel drive vehicle in which in-wheel motors 3FR, 3FL, 3RR, 3RL are provided on the left and right front wheels 2FR, 2FL and the left and right rear wheels 2RR, 2RL, respectively. In short, the vehicle targeted by the present invention may be configured such that multiple drive wheels can directly drive the left and right drive wheels independently, for example, as with the above-mentioned in-wheel motors 3.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a view of the battery mounting structure in the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment as seen from above the vehicle. Fig. 3 is a view of the battery mounting structure in the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment as seen from the front of the vehicle.

[0022] The vehicle 1 of the embodiment has, as a body frame, left and right side members 11R, 11L extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and a plurality of cross members 12a, 12b positioned between the left and right front wheels 2FR, 2FL in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vehicle width direction to connect the left and right side members 11R, 11L.

[0023] Left and right lower arms 14R, 14L are provided on the vehicle widthwise outer sides of the left and right side members 11R, 11L to support the left and right front wheels 2FR, 2FL of the vehicle 1. The left and right lower arms 14R, 14L are connected at their ends toward the left and right side members 11R, 11L to the left and right side members 11R, 11L, and are vertically rotatable around these ends. Furthermore, upwardly protruding support shafts are formed at the ends of the left and right lower arms 14R, 14L opposite the left and right side members 11R, 11L, and left and right knuckles are provided that can rotate around these support shafts. The knuckles support the left and right front wheels 2FR, 2FL so that they can rotate around their centerlines. The left and right knuckles are connected to the lower ends of left and right suspensions 16R, 16L, which can expand and contract in the vertical direction. Meanwhile, the upper ends of the left and right suspensions 16R, 16L are connected to suspension towers of the vehicle body frame. The left and right suspensions 16R, 16L are fitted with stabilizers 15 to suppress roll. When the left and right front wheels 2FR, 2FL overcome unevenness in the road surface, the left and right suspensions 16R, 16L expand and contract in the vertical direction, and accordingly the left and right lower arms 14R, 14L rotate in the vertical direction around the ends of the left and right side members 11R, 11L. This causes the left and right front wheels 2FR, 2FL to move up and down together with the left and right knuckles.

[0024] The knuckles on the left and right lower arms 14R, 14L on both sides in the vehicle width direction are connected to each other via a gearbox 13 extending in the vehicle width direction. The gearbox 13 is used to operate the left and right front wheels 2FR, 2FL, which are the steered wheels of the vehicle 1, and is fixed to the left and right side members 11R, 11L or the cross members 12a, 12b using brackets or the like. The gearbox 13 has a rack and pinion that mesh with each other inside, and the rack moves in the direction of extension of the gearbox 13, in other words, the vehicle width direction, as the pinion rotates. Tie rods are connected to both ends of the rack on the gearbox 13. The ends of the tie rods opposite the rack side are connected to a portion of the knuckle that is spaced from the center line of the support shaft toward the rear of the vehicle 1. The pinion on the gearbox 13 is connected to a steering shaft that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the steering wheel of the vehicle 1. When the driver turns the steering wheel, the gearbox 13 operates to operate the left and right front wheels 12FR, 2FL through that rotation. Specifically, when the rotation of the steering wheel is transmitted to the steering shaft and the pinion of the gearbox 13, the rack that meshes with the pinion moves in the vehicle width direction together with the tie rod. As a result, the left and right front wheels 2FR, 2FL on both sides of the vehicle width direction also rotate horizontally in the same direction. This movement of the left and right front wheels 2FR, 2FL causes the vehicle 1 to turn while traveling.

[0025] In the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the battery 4 is disposed below the cross members 12a and 12b. The battery 4 is fixed to the cross members 12a and 12b via fixing members such as dampers. The battery 4 may be disposed below the cross members 12a and 12b and fixed to the left and right side members 11R and 11L via fixing members such as dampers. An undercover may be attached under the battery 4 to protect the battery 4 from flying stones, curbs, and the like, and to consider aerodynamics.

[0026] In the battery mounting structure of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the battery 4 is disposed below the cross members 12a, 12b, which reduces the number of parts to be removed when loading or unloading the battery 4 and makes it easier to access the battery 4 from below the vehicle, thereby improving the workability of replacing the battery 4. Furthermore, because the battery 4 is mounted at the front of the vehicle, the interior or trunk space can be designed to be spacious. Furthermore, the battery 4 is fixed to the cross members 12a, 12b or the side members 11R, 11L via fixing members such as dampers, and no subframe is provided for fixing the battery 4, which reduces weight and costs.

[0027] Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of a freight vehicle as a vehicle 1A of a comparative example, and Fig. 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of a freight vehicle as a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4(a), in the cargo vehicle serving as the vehicle 1A of the comparative example, the battery 4 is disposed between the front and rear wheels in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and below the floor 21 of the luggage compartment 20, making it difficult to lower the floor height H1, which is the height from the road surface to the floor 21 of the luggage compartment 20. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4(b), in the cargo vehicle serving as the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, the battery 4 is disposed between the left and right front wheels and is not located below the floor 21 of the luggage compartment 20, making it possible to lower the floor height h1 of the luggage compartment 20 compared to the floor height H1 of the luggage compartment 20 in the vehicle 1A of the comparative example. As a result, in the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, the luggage compartment height h2 can be made larger than the luggage compartment height H2 in the vehicle 1A of the comparative example, making it possible to design a larger space within the luggage compartment 20.

[0029] Fig. 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of a passenger car as a vehicle 1A of a comparative example, and Fig. 5(b) is a diagram showing an example of a passenger car as a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5(a), in a passenger car serving as vehicle 1A of the comparative example, battery 4 is disposed between the front and rear wheels in the vehicle longitudinal direction and under floor 26 near the rear seats of passenger compartment 25, making it difficult to lower floor height H3, which is the height from the road surface to floor 26 near the rear seats of passenger compartment 25. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5(b), in a passenger car serving as vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, battery 4 is disposed between the left and right front wheels and is not located under floor 26 near the rear seats of passenger compartment 25, making it possible to lower floor height h3 near the rear seats of passenger compartment 25 compared to floor height H3 near the rear seats of passenger compartment 25 in vehicle 1A of the comparative example. As a result, in vehicle 1 according to the embodiment, passenger compartment height h4 near the rear seats can be made larger than passenger compartment height H4 near the rear seats of vehicle 1A of the comparative example, making it possible to design a larger space within passenger compartment 25. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 vehicle 2FR, 2FL front wheel 2RR,2RL rear wheel 3FR, 3FL in-wheel motor 4 Battery 5 inverters 6 ECU 11R, 11L side members 12a, 12b Cross member 13 Gearbox 15 Stabilizer 14R, 14L lower arm 16R, 16L suspension 20 luggage compartment 25 Cabin

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple wheels and a plurality of rotating electric machines provided on at least the left and right front wheels of the plurality of wheels, respectively, for independently generating driving force or braking force; an electricity storage device that exchanges electric power with the plurality of rotating electric machines; Left and right side members extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; a cross member located between the left and right front wheels in the vehicle width direction and connecting the left and right side members in the vehicle width direction; A vehicle equipped with the power storage device is disposed between the left and right front wheels in the vehicle width direction and below the cross member; A vehicle characterized in that the electric storage device is fixed to the cross member.

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