Mounting structure of electrical device on vehicle

Abstract

According to this mounting structure of an electrical device (2) on a vehicle (1), the electrical device (2) provided on a power supply path from a high-voltage battery (7) mounted on the vehicle (1) to a high-voltage first electronic component (9) mounted on the vehicle (1) is disposed rearward of a center console box (3). Harnesses (12, 13) extend forward from the front of the electrical device (2), and the harnesses (12, 13) electrically connect the electrical device (2) to the battery (7) or the first electronic component (9). The mounting structure includes a bracket (20) that covers the top of the electrical device (2), and the bracket (20) has an eave part (21) with a distal end extending forwardly upward. The harnesses (12, 13) are routed to pass under the eave part (21) to the inside of the center console box (3).

Description

Vehicle mounting structure for electrical equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting structure for an electric device on a vehicle.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a waterproof structure for an engine control unit. In this waterproof structure, a waterproof cover erected on the vehicle floor covers the front side of the engine control unit, which is located under the seat. A water drainage portion protrudes from the front of the waterproof cover. When melted snow water accumulated on the floor flows rearward when the vehicle starts moving, this waterproof structure returns the water that attempts to move upward along the waterproof cover downward via the water drainage portion, preventing water from splashing on the engine control unit.

[0003] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 64-10477

[0004] However, in the area behind the center console box in the vehicle interior, rainwater dripping from an umbrella or liquids such as drinks spilled when using the cup holders provided in the center console box can easily accumulate on the floor or wet devices installed on the floor.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to prevent liquid from entering the interior of electrical equipment arranged behind a center console box.

[0006] In a vehicle electrical equipment mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, an electrical equipment is disposed behind a center console box on a power supply path from a high-voltage battery mounted on the vehicle to a first high-voltage electronic component mounted on the vehicle. A harness extends forward from a front portion of the electrical equipment and electrically connects the electrical equipment to the battery or the first electronic component. The mounting structure includes a bracket covering an upper portion of the electrical equipment, the bracket having a hood portion whose tip portion extends forward and upward. The harness is routed inside the center console box, passing under the hood portion.

[0007] According to the above mounting structure, it is possible to prevent liquid from entering the interior of the electrical equipment arranged behind the center console box.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle equipped with a mounting structure for an electric device on a vehicle according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting structure of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting structure of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a further exploded perspective view of the mounting structure of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting structure of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the mounting structure of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the mounting structure of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged side view of the mounting structure of Fig. 1.

[0009] Hereinafter, a mounting structure for an electrical device on a vehicle according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, FR and RR indicate the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, respectively, LH and RH indicate the left and right in the width direction of the vehicle, and UP and DN indicate the upper and lower, respectively. In the following description, the left and right in the width direction of the vehicle, and the front, front side, rear, and rear sides in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the "left side," "right side," "front," "front side," "rear," and "rear side," respectively. Furthermore, elements having the same function will be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1 , the electrical device according to the embodiment is a junction box 2 mounted on a vehicle 1. The junction box 2 is a device that branches a high-voltage (400 V DC in this embodiment) power supply path. Here, "high voltage" refers to a voltage of 60 V or higher. High-voltage components require a dedicated ground circuit, not a body ground. The high-voltage harness is colored orange to distinguish it from other wiring. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 , the junction box 2 is disposed on a floor panel 4 behind a center console box 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the junction box 2 is fixed to the floor panel 4 via floor brackets 5.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the center console box 3 is provided between the front right seat 6 and the front left seat 6. A high-voltage battery 7 that supplies power to drive the vehicle 1 is mounted below the center console box 3 and the front right seat 6 and the front left seat 6. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4 to 6, the battery 7 is mounted above the floor panel 4, i.e., inside the vehicle cabin. However, the battery 7 may also be mounted below the floor panel 4, i.e., outside the vehicle cabin. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, a DC / DC converter 8 is provided inside the center console box 3 to step down the voltage of the battery 7 and supply it to electrical components, and to charge the 12V battery.

[0012] Vehicle 1 is a four-wheel-drive hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). As shown in FIG. 1 , a front electric power train unit (hereinafter referred to as ePT unit) 9 is mounted at the front of vehicle 1 as a first high-voltage electronic component. The front ePT unit 9 drives front wheels 10, which are connected to front ePT unit 9 by front drive shafts 11. The front ePT unit 9 includes an internal combustion engine for generating electricity, a generator that generates electricity using the output of the internal combustion engine, a front motor that drives front wheels 10, and a front inverter. The front inverter converts high-voltage DC power from battery 7 into high-voltage three-phase AC power and supplies it to the motor. The front ePT unit 9 includes a speed-up mechanism provided between the internal combustion engine and the generator and a speed-reduction mechanism provided between the front motor and front drive shaft 11.

[0013] High-voltage power supplied from the battery 7 to the front inverter of the front ePT unit 9 is supplied from the battery 7 via the junction box 2. The battery 7 and junction box 2 are connected by a first front harness 12, and the junction box 2 and front ePT unit 9 are connected by a second front harness 13. In other words, the junction box 2 is provided on the power supply path from the high-voltage battery 7 mounted on the vehicle 1 to the front ePT unit 9 mounted on the vehicle 1.

[0014] The first front harness 12 extends forward from the front of the junction box 2 and electrically connects the junction box 2 to the battery 7. The second front harness 13 extends forward from the front of the junction box 2 and electrically connects the junction box 2 to the front ePT unit 9.

[0015] A rear ePT unit 14 serving as a high-voltage second electronic component is mounted in the rear of the vehicle 1, located behind the junction box 2. The rear ePT unit 14 drives rear wheels 15. The rear wheels 15 are connected to the rear ePT unit 14 by rear drive shafts 16. The rear ePT unit 14 includes a rear motor that drives the rear wheels 15, a rear inverter that converts high-voltage DC power from the battery 7 into high-voltage three-phase AC power and supplies it to the rear motor, and the like. The rear ePT unit 14 includes a reduction mechanism disposed between the rear motor and the rear drive shaft 16. High-voltage power supplied from the battery 7 to the rear inverter of the rear ePT unit 14 is supplied via the junction box 2.

[0016] The junction box 2 and the rear ePT unit 14 are connected by a rear harness 17. That is, the rear harness 17 electrically connects the rear ePT unit 14 and the junction box 2, and supplies power from the battery 7 to the rear ePT unit 14. The rear harness 17 extends rearward from the rear of the junction box 2.

[0017] As shown in Figures 3 to 8, the floor bracket 5 to which the junction box 2 is fixed includes a plate-shaped main body 5A, a bulge 18 provided at the front of the floor bracket 5, and a pair of fixing legs 19 provided at the rear of the floor bracket 5. The floor bracket 5 is, for example, a pressed metal plate. The bulge 18 bulges downward at the center of the front of the main body 5A (see Figures 6 and 8). The pair of fixing legs 19 extend rearward and downward from the rear edge of the main body 5A. The bottom of the bulge 18 and the lower ends of the fixing legs 19 are fastened to the floor panel 4 with fasteners such as bolts, thereby fixing the floor bracket 5 to the floor panel 4. A vertical gap S1 is formed between the floor bracket 5 and the floor panel 4, and the entire lower surface of the junction box 2 is vertically spaced apart from the upper surface of the floor panel 4.

[0018] The junction box 2 is fixed to the substantially horizontal upper surface of the main body 5A of the floor bracket 5 with bolts, nuts, etc. A positive bus bar and a negative bus bar (not shown) are provided inside the junction box 2. The positive electrodes of the battery 7, the front inverter, and the rear inverter are connected to the positive bus bar via the first front harness 12, the second front harness 13, and the rear harness 17. The negative electrodes of the battery 7, the front inverter, and the rear inverter are connected to the negative bus bar via the first front harness 12, the second front harness 13, and the rear harness 17.

[0019] The bracket 20 is, for example, a pressed product of a metal plate, and has a plate-shaped main body 20A, a pair of legs 20B and a canopy 21 provided at the front of the bracket 20, and a pair of rear legs 20C provided at the rear of the bracket 20.

[0020] The main body 20A has larger external dimensions than the junction box 2 in a plan view. A bead is formed in the center of the main body 20A, which improves the surface rigidity of the main body 20A. The pair of legs 20B and the eaves 21 are located forward of the front end of the junction box 2. The eaves 21 extends forward from the front edge of the main body 20A. The tip of the eaves 21 extends toward the upper front, and the top surface of the tip is inclined downward toward the rear. The tip of the eaves 21 is curved so as to convex toward the lower front. The shape of the curved surface is not particularly limited, and may be curved to describe, for example, a smooth cylindrical surface.

[0021] The first front harness 12 and the second front harness 13 are routed under the eaves portion 21 and routed into the center console box 3. More specifically, the apex of the portion of the first front harness 12 located directly below the eaves portion 21 is located within the width W (see FIG. 7 ) of the eaves portion 21 in the vehicle width direction. In other words, in a plan view, the center line CL of the first front harness 12 overlaps with the eaves portion 21. Similarly, the apex of the portion of the second front harness 13 located directly below the eaves portion 21 is located within the width W of the eaves portion 21 in the vehicle width direction. In a plan view, the center line CL of the second front harness 13 overlaps with the eaves portion 21.

[0022] In this embodiment, the first front harness 12 and the second front harness 13 are routed within the center console box 3 so as to pass over the DC / DC converter 8. Specifically, the first and second front harnesses 12, 13 extend at an angle so as to become higher toward the front in an area rearward of the DC / DC converter 8 within the center console box 3, and extend substantially horizontally in the front-to-rear direction in an area above the DC / DC converter 8. Although not shown, in an area forward of the DC / DC converter 8 within the center console box 3, the first front harness 12 extends vertically and is connected at its lower end to the battery 7. The second front harness 13 extends further forward and downward and is connected to the front ePT unit 9.

[0023] Each leg 20B extends downward and forward from a portion of the bracket 20 near the eave portion 21. More specifically, the leg 20B extends downward and forward from a portion 20a (see Figures 7 and 8) of the main body 20A that is adjacent to and outside the eave portion 21 in the vehicle width direction. This portion 20a corresponds to the base end, i.e., the upper end, of each leg 20B. The left and right portions 20a and the straight line connecting them form the front edge of the main body 20A. The portion extending forward from the left and right portions 20a is the eave portion 21. The lower end of each leg 20B is fixed to the floor panel 4. This fixes the front of the bracket 20 to the floor panel 4. More specifically, the lower end of each leg 20B is fastened to a cross member 24, which is welded to the floor panel 4 and extends in the vehicle width direction, by a fastener such as a bolt.

[0024] Each rear leg 20C extends rearward and downward from the rear of the main body 20A. Each rear leg 20C is fixed with a nut to a weld bolt provided on the fixed leg 19 of the floor bracket 5. That is, the rear of the bracket 20 is fixed to the floor panel 4 via the floor bracket 5. A vertical gap S2 is formed between the main body 20A of the bracket 20 and the upper surface of the junction box 2, and the entire upper surface of the junction box 2 is vertically separated from the lower surface of the main body 20A.

[0025] In this embodiment, a floor carpet 25 is laid so as to entirely cover the floor bracket 5, the junction box 2, and the bracket 20 from above. The floor carpet 25 is breathable. The material of the floor carpet 25 is not particularly limited, and may be water-permeable and water-retentive. The floor carpet 25 may also include, for example, a surface layer constituting the carpet surface, a backing layer as a backing material, and a buffer layer made of felt or foam. The floor carpet 25 is press-molded to fit the outer shapes of the floor panel 4, the floor bracket 5, the junction box 2, and the bracket 20. The center of the floor carpet 25 bulges upward, and the space formed below it accommodates the floor bracket 5, the junction box 2, and the bracket 20. The peripheral edge of the floor carpet 25 is molded to fit the upper surface of the floor panel 4 so as to contact the upper surface of the floor panel 4.

[0026] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the floor carpet 25 has a front inclined surface portion 26, which is an inclined surface portion. The front inclined surface portion 26 extends downward and forward from a portion 25A (see Figures 7 and 8) of the floor carpet 25 that corresponds to the front edge of the main body portion 20A of the bracket 20. The front inclined surface portion 26 is inclined downward toward the front and covers the pair of legs 20B from above. The inclination angle of the front inclined surface portion 26 is shallower than the inclination angle of the legs 20B of the bracket 20, and a vertical gap S3 is formed between the front inclined surface portion 26 and the legs 20B, which becomes larger toward the front.

[0027] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, a front vertical surface 27 is formed below the front inclined surface 26. The front vertical surface 27 extends vertically downward from the lower end of the front inclined surface 26. The front vertical surface 27 is located forward of the leg 20B of the bracket 20, and a lower end 27a of the front vertical surface 27 is in contact with the upper surface of the cross member 24. In other words, the front inclined surface 26 and the front vertical surface 27 extend from the portion 25A to the floor panel 4 (the cross member 24 in this embodiment) forward of the leg 20B, with the portion from the portion 25A to the lower end 27a being spaced apart from the leg 20B in the vertical direction.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 7, the front inclined surface portion 26 is formed with a pair of insertion holes 28 through which the first front harness 12 and the second front harness 13 are inserted. Although not visible in Fig. 7 because they are hidden under the first front harness 12 and the second front harness 13, slits are formed through the front inclined surface portion 26 and the front vertical surface portion 27 from the lowest position of the inner peripheral edge of each insertion hole 28 to the lower end 27a. When laying the floor carpet 25, the first front harness 12 is pushed into the right slit and the second front harness 13 is pushed into the left slit, and they are moved to a position within the insertion holes 28. A bulge 29 for accommodating the eaves portion 21 is formed in the upper center of the front inclined surface portion 26.

[0029] The front portion of the bracket 20 and the front portion of the floor carpet 25 are located inside the center console box 3. The overhanging portion 21 and leg portion 20B of the bracket 20, as well as the front inclined surface portion 26, front vertical surface portion 27, and bulge portion 29 of the floor carpet 25, are covered from above by the center console box 3. The tip of the overhanging portion 21 is located forward of the lower edge of the rear surface of the center console box 3. The center console box 3 is made of resin and is fixed to a console bracket 30 that is fixed to the floor panel 4. A DC / DC converter 8 is located below the console bracket 30. The rear surface of the center console box 3 is gently curved, with the upper portion of the rear surface sloping downward toward the rear and the lower portion of the rear surface extending approximately vertically. A plurality of air vents 31 are formed in the lower portion of the rear surface. Each air vent 31 is located rearward of the tip of the overhanging portion 21.

[0030] The effects of the structure for mounting an electrical device on a vehicle according to the above embodiment will be described.

[0031] (1) In the above mounting structure, the junction box 2, which serves as high-voltage electrical equipment, is disposed behind the center console box 3 within the vehicle interior, and the bracket 20 covers the top of the junction box 2. This prevents excessive load from being applied to the junction box 2 and the connections of the first front harness 12, the second front harness 13, and the rear harness 17 with the junction box 2 when the occupant steps on the junction box 2.

[0032] (2) In the area behind the center console box 3 in the vehicle interior, rainwater dripping from an umbrella or liquids such as drinks spilled when using the cup holders provided in the center console box 3 may fall or flow down onto the floor. In the above mounting structure, the bracket 20 covers the top of the junction box 2, preventing liquid from directly splashing onto the junction box 2 from above. This prevents short circuits and ground faults caused by liquid in the high-voltage power supply path including the junction box 2.

[0033] (3) In the above mounting structure, the first front harness 12 and the second front harness 13 are routed under the eaves portion 21 and routed into the center console box 3. This prevents liquid from directly contacting the first front harness 12 and the second front harness 13 from above. Furthermore, in the above mounting structure, the tip of the eaves portion 21 extends forward and upward. This prevents the liquid from dripping from the tip of the eaves portion 21 and contacting the first front harness 12 or the second front harness 13, which pass under the eaves portion 21, even if the vehicle 1 decelerates (or accelerates backward) with liquid pooled on the upper surface of the main body 20A of the bracket 20. This prevents liquid from seeping into the junction box 2 along the first front harness 12 or the second front harness 13, more reliably preventing short circuits and ground faults caused by liquid.

[0034] (4) In the above mounting structure, the tip of the eaves portion 21 is curved so as to convex downward and forward. Therefore, even if the first front harness 12 or the second front harness 13 passing under the eaves portion 21 comes into contact with the tip of the eaves portion 21 due to vibrations caused by the vehicle 1 traveling, the contact can be prevented from becoming a point contact or a line contact. In other words, the contact becomes a surface contact, reducing the contact pressure and preventing damage to the first front harness 12 or the second front harness 13.

[0035] (5) In the above mounting structure, the bracket 20 is covered by the floor carpet 25. Therefore, rainwater, beverages, and other liquids that fall onto the floor are received by the floor carpet 25, and liquids that soak into the floor carpet 25 can be moved along the floor carpet 25 to a lower position. That is, the liquid's flow path can be controlled to guide the liquid away from the junction box 2. This more reliably prevents liquid from seeping into the junction box 2. In the above mounting structure, the bracket 20 has legs 20B that extend forward and downward from the vicinity of the eaves 21, and the floor carpet 25 has front inclined surfaces 26 that are inclined downward and forward and cover the legs 20B. A gap S3 is formed between the front inclined surfaces 26 and the legs 20B. Therefore, liquid present near the eaves 21, which is located above the first front harness 12 and the second front harness 13, can be guided along the front inclined surfaces 26 to a position away from the bracket 20. That is, the flow path of the liquid can be separated from the leg portion 20B and arranged away from the junction box 2. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the liquid from entering the inside of the junction box 2.

[0036] (6) In the above mounting structure, the junction box 2 is fixed to the floor panel 4 via the floor bracket 5, and a gap S1 is formed between the floor bracket 5 and the floor panel 4. This prevents liquid that has flowed down to the floor panel 4 via the floor carpet 25 from getting on the junction box 2.

[0037] (7) In the above mounting structure, a plurality of air vents 31 are formed on the rear surface of the center console box 3. Therefore, when a heat-generating component such as the DC / DC converter 8 is provided inside the center console box 3, the heat inside can be discharged to the outside through the air vents 31. In the above embodiment, the tip of the eaves portion 21 is disposed forward of the lower edge of the rear surface of the center console box 3. Therefore, even if the liquid flows into the center console box 3 through the air vents 31, the eaves portion 21 can prevent the flowing liquid from getting onto the junction box 2, the first front harness 12, or the second front harness 13.

[0038] (8) The above mounting structure includes a rear harness 17 connected to the rear ePT unit 14 mounted rearward of the junction box 2. The rear harness 17 extends rearward from the rear of the junction box 2. This allows the rear harness 17 to be routed along the floor panel 4 in a space-efficient manner.

[0039] The above-described embodiments are merely examples described to facilitate understanding of the invention. The technical scope of the invention is not limited to the specific technical matters disclosed in the above-described embodiments, but also includes various modifications, changes, alternative techniques, etc. that can be easily derived therefrom.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the electrical device provided on the high-voltage power supply path was the junction box 2, but the electrical device may be other electrical devices, such as a DC / DC converter. Also, in the above embodiment, the first and second high-voltage electronic components were ePT units, but the first and second electronic components may be other electronic components, such as a DC / DC converter.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the center console box 3 is provided between the front right seat 6 and the front left seat 6. However, if three or more rows of seats are arranged in the vehicle cabin, the center console box may be provided between the right seat and the left seat of another row. In the above embodiment, one leg 20B is provided on each side (two in total), but the number of legs 20B is not limited to this and may be one, three, or more. In the above embodiment, the first front harness 12 and the second front harness 13 are routed under the eaves 21 and routed inside the center console box 3. However, the above-described effects can of course be achieved even if only one of the first front harness 12 and the second front harness 13 is routed under the eaves 21.

[0042] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Vehicle 2 Junction box (electrical equipment) 3 Center console box 31 Air vent 4 Floor panel 6 Front right seat, front left seat (right seat, left seat) 7 Battery 9 Front ePT unit (first electronic component) 12 First front harness (harness) 13 Second front harness (harness) 14 Rear ePT unit (second electronic component) 17 Rear harness 20 Bracket 21 Eaves 20B Leg 25 Floor carpet 26 Front inclined surface (inclined surface)

Claims

1. A center console box located between the right and left seats inside the vehicle, An electrical device located in the interior of the vehicle, behind the center console box, and on the power supply path from a high-voltage battery mounted in the vehicle to a high-voltage first electronic component mounted in the vehicle, A harness extending forward from the front of the electrical equipment and electrically connecting the electrical equipment to the battery or the first electronic component, A bracket covering the top of the aforementioned electrical equipment, Equipped with, The bracket has a canopy portion that extends forward and upward at its tip, A vehicle mounting structure for electrical equipment, wherein the harness is routed under the visor and into the center console box.

2. The mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the visor portion is curved so as to be convex toward the front and downward.

3. The aforementioned bracket is further provided with a floor carpet covering it, The bracket has legs that extend forward and downward from the portion of the bracket near the visor and are fixed to the floor panel of the vehicle. The floor carpet has an inclined surface portion that slopes downwards towards the front and covers the leg portion. The mounting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a gap is formed between the inclined surface portion and the leg portion.

4. Multiple ventilation holes are formed on the rear surface of the aforementioned center console box. The mounting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tip of the visor portion is positioned forward of the lower edge of the rear surface of the center console box.

5. The system further includes a rear harness that electrically connects a high-voltage second electronic component mounted on the vehicle behind the aforementioned electrical equipment to the aforementioned electrical equipment, thereby supplying power from the battery to the second electronic component. The mounting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rear harness extends from the rear of the electrical equipment toward the rear.