Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

Abstract

A pickup truck-type plug-in hybrid vehicle comprises, from the front, an engine compartment having an engine room with a longitudinally mounted engine, a cabin section equipped with a passenger compartment, and a luggage section having a cargo bed that opens upwards toward the vehicle. Left and right side members of the frame, a propeller shaft, and an exhaust pipe extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle through a portion below the passenger compartment in the cabin section. A battery is positioned in a portion above the side members, propeller shaft, and exhaust pipe in at least one of the cabin section and the luggage section. A high-voltage electrical unit is positioned in the cabin section below the rear seats and also in a portion below the floor of the passenger compartment.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pickup truck-type plug-in hybrid vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] International Publication No. 2008 / 082012 discloses a plug-in hybrid vehicle (hereinafter referred to as PHEV) having a monocoque body structure. The problem to be solved

[0003] A PHEV is equipped with a large-capacity battery in addition to two power sources, an engine and a motor. A PHEV is equipped with a high-voltage electrical unit electrically connected to the battery. Examples of the high-voltage electrical unit include a motor power control unit and a vehicle-mounted charging unit. In the PHEV described in the above publication, the battery is installed under the rear seat.

[0004] As a vehicle type, there are pickup trucks equipped with an upward-opening cargo bed located behind the cabin. Most pickup trucks have a frame-structured body. Numerous components, such as the transmission, propeller shaft, exhaust pipe, and fuel tank, are positioned beneath the floor of a pickup truck. Consequently, when converting a pickup truck into a PHEV, it may be impossible to secure mounting space for the battery and high-voltage electrical unit beneath the floor unless the floor level is raised. However, users require pickup truck-type vehicles to have a cabin and cargo bed capable of carrying a large amount of cargo. If the vehicle's floor level is raised to accommodate the battery and high-voltage electrical unit beneath the floor, the volume of the cabin and cargo bed is reduced, making it impossible to meet user requirements. means of solving the problem

[0005] A plug-in hybrid vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a pickup truck-type plug-in hybrid vehicle and comprises a fuel tank, an engine, a battery, a motor, a transmission, a propeller shaft configured to be connected to the engine through the motor and the transmission to transmit rotational power of the engine and the motor to the rear wheels, an exhaust pipe configured to guide the exhaust of the engine to the rear of the vehicle, a high-voltage electric unit electrically connected to the battery, a cabin section provided with a passenger compartment, an engine compartment located in front of the cabin section, a luggage section located behind the cabin section, and a frame having left and right side members extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle through a portion below the passenger compartment in the cabin section. The propeller shaft and the exhaust pipe extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle through a portion below the passenger compartment in the cabin section. The battery is disposed in a portion above the side members, the propeller shaft, and the exhaust pipe in at least one of the cabin section and the luggage section. In the above-mentioned cabin, a front row seat and a rear row seat located behind the front row seat are installed. The above-mentioned high-voltage electric unit is positioned below the rear row seat in the cabin section, and also in the lower part of the floor of the cabin. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0006] FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing the arrangement of components of a plug-in hybrid vehicle according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing the arrangement of seats of a plug-in hybrid vehicle shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a top view schematically showing the arrangement of the drivetrain, frame, exhaust pipe, fuel tank, etc. of the plug-in hybrid vehicle shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a top view schematically showing the arrangement of the battery and high-voltage electric unit of the plug-in hybrid vehicle shown in FIG. 1. Figure 5 is a drawing showing the cross-sectional structure of a high-voltage electric unit and its surroundings along line 5-5 of Figures 1 to 4. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the behavior of the high-voltage electric unit shown in Figure 5 during a side collision. FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the cross-sectional structure of a high-voltage electric unit of a plug-in hybrid vehicle and its surroundings according to another embodiment. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a change in battery placement in a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Figure 9 is a diagram showing another example of battery placement in a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a plug-in hybrid vehicle will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In the following description, "plug-in hybrid vehicle" will be referred to as "PHEV". In each figure, "FR" indicates the front of the vehicle, "RR" indicates the rear of the vehicle, "UP" indicates the upper part of the vehicle, "DW" indicates the lower part of the vehicle, "LF" indicates the left side of the vehicle, and "RF" indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0008] As shown in FIG. 1, the PHEV (10) has three parts: a cabin (11), an engine room (12) located in front of the cabin (11), and a luggage room (13) located in the rear of the cabin (11). The cabin (11) is provided with a passenger compartment (14). The engine room (12) has an engine room (17) in which an engine (20) is arranged vertically. The PHEV (10) of this embodiment is equipped with an engine (20) having a V-shaped cylinder arrangement. The luggage room (13) has a luggage rack (18) that opens upward toward the vehicle. In FIG. 1 to 4, the part of the PHEV (10) that is rearward from the dotted line L1 and forward from the dotted line L2 is the cabin (11). The part ahead of the dotted line L1 in the PHEV (10) is the engine compartment (12). The part behind the dotted line L2 in the PHEV (10) is the luggage compartment (13).

[0009] The PHEV (10) is equipped with a charging inlet (44) for connecting a charging plug of an external charging facility. In FIG. 1, the charging inlet (44) is installed on the side of the vehicle body of the luggage section (13).

[0010] FIG. 2 shows the seat arrangement of a PHEV (10). In the cabin (14) of the PHEV (10), a front seat (15) and a rear seat (16) located behind the front seat (15) are installed. Part P0, shown by hatching in FIG. 2, represents the part in front of the rear seat (16) in the cabin (14). It is assumed that the feet of the occupant will be placed on the floor surface of this part P0 of the cabin (14).

[0011] <PHEV의 구동계의 구성>

[0012] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the drivetrain of the PHEV (10) is described. The drivetrain of the PHEV (10) is equipped with an engine (20), a transmission (21), a motor (22), and a transfer case (23). The drivetrain of the PHEV (10) is equipped with front and rear propeller shafts (24, 25). Both propeller shafts (24, 25) are respectively connected to the engine (20) through the transfer case (23), the motor (22), and the transmission (21). The front propeller shaft (24) is connected to the left and right front wheels (27) through a differential (26). The rear propeller shaft (25) is connected to the left and right rear wheels (29) through a differential (28).

[0013] <PHEV의 바닥 하부 구조의 구성>

[0014] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the floor substructure of the PHEV (10) is described. The floor substructure of the PHEV (10) refers to the part of the PHEV (10) that is lower than the floor panel of the passenger compartment (14) and the luggage rack (18).

[0015] A frame (30) is provided at the bottom of the cabin (14) and luggage rack (18) of the PHEV (10). The frame (30) of the PHEV (10) in this embodiment is a ladder-type frame having left and right side members (31) and a plurality of cross members (32) each connecting the two side members (31). The left and right side members (31) are each arranged to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle through a portion below the cabin (14) in the cabin section (11). As shown in FIG. 3, the rear wheel propeller shaft (25) extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle through a portion below the cabin (14) in the cabin section (11).

[0016] An exhaust pipe (33) is positioned at the bottom of the PHEV (10) to direct the exhaust of the engine (20) to the rear of the vehicle. The exhaust pipe (33) extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle through a portion below the passenger compartment (14) in the cabin section (11). A muffler (34) is installed in the middle of the exhaust pipe (33). The muffler (34) is positioned at a portion below the passenger compartment (14) in the cabin section (11). A fuel tank (35) for storing fuel from the engine (20) is installed at the bottom of the PHEV (10). A rear wheel propeller shaft (25) is positioned in the portion between the exhaust pipe (33) and the fuel tank (35) in the vehicle width direction.

[0017] <Arrangement of Battery and High-Voltage Electric Unit>

[0018] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and FIGS. 5, the arrangement of the battery (40) and the high-voltage electric unit (42) of the PHEV (10) will be described. FIGS. 4 shows the arrangement of the battery (40) and the high-voltage electric unit (42) of the PHEV (10) as viewed from above the vehicle. FIGS. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional structure of the PHEV (10) along line 5-5 of FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0019] The PHEV (10) is equipped with a battery (40) that stores power. The battery (40) is composed of a plurality of cells and a case that accommodates them. The battery (40) is positioned below the rear seat (16) in the cabin section (11), and above the rear wheel propeller shaft (25), exhaust pipe (33), fuel tank (35), and side member (31). In this embodiment, the battery (40) is installed on the floor of the passenger compartment (14).

[0020] The PHEV (10) is equipped with a high-voltage electric unit (42) electrically connected to the battery (40). The high-voltage electric unit (42) is composed of an electric circuit for power conversion and a case that accommodates the electric circuit. In this embodiment, the vehicle-mounted charging unit that converts power received from the outside through the charging inlet (44) and charges the battery (40) is the high-voltage electric unit (42). The high-voltage electric unit (42) is positioned below the rear seat (16) in the cabin section (11) and also in the lower part of the floor of the passenger compartment (14). In the PHEV (10) of this embodiment, the high-voltage electric unit (42) is positioned below the battery (40) with the floor panel of the passenger compartment (14) in between.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5, the high-voltage electric unit (42) is positioned in the portion between the left and right side members (31) and also above the rear wheel propeller shaft (25). More specifically, the high-voltage electric unit (42) is located in the portion between the left side member (31) and the rear wheel propeller shaft (25) in the vehicle width direction. The bottom surface of the high-voltage electric unit (42) is located above the rear wheel propeller shaft (25).

[0022] <Actions and Effects of the Embodiment>

[0023] The operation and effects of the present embodiment are described.

[0024] In addition to the frame (30), the propeller shaft (25), exhaust pipe (33), and fuel tank (35) are installed in the lower floor of the PHEV. Therefore, it is difficult to secure sufficient space for mounting the battery (40) and the high-voltage electric unit (42) in the lower floor of a typical pickup truck-type PHEV. In contrast, in the PHEV (10) of the present embodiment, the battery (40) is positioned in a portion above the propeller shaft (25), exhaust pipe (33), fuel tank (35), and the side member (31) of the frame (30) in the cabin portion (11). More specifically, the battery (40) is positioned below the rear seat (16) and above the floor of the passenger compartment (14). Meanwhile, the high-voltage electric unit (42) is positioned below the rear seat (16) in the cabin portion (11) and below the floor of the passenger compartment (14). In this way, in the PHEV (10) of the present embodiment, the battery (40) and the high-voltage electric unit (42) are each placed on the floor above and below the floor of the passenger compartment (14), respectively, thereby securing a mounting space for the battery (40) and the high-voltage electric unit (42).

[0025] In the PHEV (10) of the present embodiment, a high-voltage electric unit (42) is positioned in the portion between the left and right side members (31) and also in the portion above the rear wheel propeller shaft (25). With this positioning of the high-voltage electric unit (42), the following effects are obtained.

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates the behavior of the high-voltage electric unit (42), etc., during a side collision in which an object collides with the PHEV (10) from the left side of the vehicle. When the side member (31) on the left side of the vehicle moves to the right side due to the impact of the side collision, the high-voltage electric unit (42) also moves to the right side by being pushed by it. At this time, if the bottom surface of the high-voltage electric unit (42) is located below the propeller shaft (25), the high-voltage electric unit (42) gets stuck between the side member (31), which has high rigidity, and the propeller shaft (25). In contrast, in the PHEV (10) of the present embodiment, the high-voltage electric unit (42) is located above the rear wheel propeller shaft (25). Therefore, the high-voltage electric unit (42), which moves together with the side member (31) during a side collision, can avoid getting stuck between the side member (31) and the propeller shaft (25).

[0027] According to the above embodiment of the PHEV (10), the following effects can be produced.

[0028] (1) In the PHEV (10) of the present embodiment, the battery (40) and the high-voltage electric unit (42) are each placed on the floor above and below the floor of the passenger compartment (14). Therefore, even in the PHEV (10) where many parts are installed below the floor, it is easy to secure mounting space for the battery (40) and the high-voltage electric unit (42).

[0029] (2) The high-voltage electric unit (42) is positioned between the left and right side members (31) and above the rear wheel propeller shaft (25). Therefore, it is difficult for the high-voltage electric unit (42) to get stuck between the propeller shaft (25) and the side members (31) during a side collision.

[0030] (3) The battery (40) and the high-voltage electric unit (42) are arranged side by side above and below each other with the floor panel of the car room (14) in between. Because of this, it is easy to arrange the path of cables, etc., to electrically connect the battery (40) and the high-voltage electric unit (42) to each other.

[0031] (4) The high-voltage electric unit (42) in the PHEV (10) of this embodiment is a vehicle-mounted charging unit. A charging inlet (44) is installed on the side of the luggage section (13). Because the charging inlet (44) and the high-voltage electric unit (42) are close to each other, it is easy to route cables or other cables connecting them.

[0032] (5) It is assumed that the feet of the occupant will be placed on the floor surface of the part P0 in front of the rear seat (16) in the passenger compartment (14). If the battery (40) is installed on the floor of this part P0 in the passenger compartment (14), there is a possibility that the occupant's habitability will be compromised. In contrast, in the PHEV (10) of the present embodiment, the battery (40) is placed on the floor of a part other than the part P0 in front of the rear seat (16) in the passenger compartment (14). That is, the battery (40) is positioned so that it does not protrude forward of the rear seat (16). Therefore, the deterioration of the occupant's habitability associated with the installation of the battery (40) on the floor is suppressed.

[0033] (Other embodiments)

[0034] The present embodiment may be implemented with modifications as follows. The present embodiment and the following modifications may be implemented in combination with one another to the extent that they are not technically contradictory.

[0035] <Regarding the high-voltage electric unit (42)>

[0036] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the high-voltage electric unit (42) may be installed with its bottom surface positioned below the rear wheel propeller shaft (25). Even in this case, if the gap DX between the propeller shaft (25) and the high-voltage electric unit (42) in the vehicle width direction is sufficiently secured, the possibility of the high-voltage electric unit (42) getting stuck between the propeller shaft (25) and the side member (31) during a side collision is reduced.

[0037] · The high-voltage electric unit (42) may be a unit other than a vehicle-mounted charging unit, provided that it is electrically connected to the battery (40) and performs power conversion. An example of a high-voltage electric unit (42) other than a vehicle-mounted charging unit is a power control unit that performs power control of the motor (22). A step-down unit that converts high-voltage power output by the battery (40) into low-voltage DC power to supply to auxiliary equipment, etc. may be the high-voltage electric unit (42). A unit that combines two or more functions, such as a vehicle-mounted charging unit, a power control unit, or a step-down unit, may be the high-voltage electric unit (42).

[0038] <Regarding the arrangement of the battery (40)>

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, the battery (40) may be placed above the side member (31), propeller shaft (25), and exhaust pipe (33) in the luggage section (13). In FIG. 8, the battery (40) is placed on the luggage rack (18). The battery (40) is installed on the bottom surface of the luggage rack (18).

[0040] As shown in FIG. 9, the battery (40) may be divided and placed in the lower portion of the rear seat (16) in the cabin portion (11) and in the portion of the luggage portion (13) above the side member (31), propeller shaft (25), and exhaust pipe (33).

[0041] · If the battery (40) is positioned above the side member (31), propeller shaft (25), and exhaust pipe (33), it may be placed in a part other than the above.

[0042] Others

[0043] · An engine (20) with a cylinder arrangement other than V-type may be installed in the PHEV (10).

[0044] · The arrangement of the propeller shaft (25), exhaust pipe (33), muffler (34), and fuel tank (35), etc., at the bottom of the PHEV (10) may be appropriately changed. For example, the propeller shaft (25) may be placed in a part other than the part between the exhaust pipe (33) and the fuel tank (35) in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] · The charging inlet (44) may be installed at a location different from the above embodiment.

Claims

Claim 1 It is a pickup truck-type plug-in hybrid vehicle, comprising a fuel tank, an engine, a battery, a motor, a transmission, a propeller shaft configured to be connected to the engine through the motor and the transmission to transmit rotational power of the engine and the motor to the rear wheels, an exhaust pipe configured to guide the exhaust of the engine to the rear of the vehicle, a high-voltage electric unit electrically connected to the battery, a cabin section provided with a passenger compartment, an engine compartment located in front of the cabin section, a luggage section located behind the cabin section, and a frame having left and right side members extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle through a portion below the passenger compartment in the cabin section, wherein the engine compartment has an engine compartment in which the engine is positioned longitudinally, and the luggage section has a cargo bed that opens upward toward the vehicle, and the propeller shaft and the exhaust pipe extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle through a portion below the passenger compartment in the cabin section, and the battery is located in at least one of the cabin section and the luggage section, A plug-in hybrid vehicle having a side member, a propeller shaft, and an exhaust pipe positioned above the side member, a front seat and a rear seat positioned behind the front seat installed in the cabin, and a high-voltage electric unit positioned below the rear seat and below the floor of the cabin in the cabin section. Claim 2 A plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery is positioned in a portion other than the portion in front of the rear seat. Claim 3 A plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery is positioned in the cabin portion, below the rear seat and above the high-voltage electric unit. Claim 4 In claim 1, the battery is a plug-in hybrid vehicle positioned in the luggage compartment. Claim 5 A plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery is divided and disposed in the lower portion of the rear seat in the cabin portion and the luggage portion. Claim 6 A plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the high-voltage electric unit is positioned in the portion between the left and right side members and also in the portion above the propeller shaft. Claim 7 In paragraph 1, the fuel tank is positioned below the battery in a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Claim 8 A plug-in hybrid vehicle, wherein the high-voltage electric unit is a power control unit configured to perform power control of the motor in the first paragraph. Claim 9 In claim 1, the high-voltage electric unit is a vehicle-mounted charging unit configured to charge the battery with power supplied from outside the vehicle, in a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Claim 10 A plug-in hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the propeller shaft is positioned in the portion between the exhaust pipe and the fuel tank in the vehicle width direction. Claim 11 A plug-in hybrid vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cylinder arrangement of the engine is V-shaped.

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