Vehicle structure

Abstract

[Problem] To improve workability for mounting a soundproof cover. [Solution] The present invention includes: a suspension member 10; a drive unit 20 that includes a drive motor 22 mounted to the suspension member; and a soundproof cover 30 that is mounted to the suspension member and that covers a part of the drive motor.

Description

Vehicle structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle structure.

[0002] Conventionally, technologies have been developed to limit the noise generated by a vehicle while it is running to a predetermined range. One such technology for noise and vibration performance is to provide a soundproof cover near the sound source (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-161260

[0004] The present inventors have been conducting extensive research with the aim of improving the ease of attaching a soundproof cover such as that used in Patent Document 1 to a vehicle.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to improve the workability of installing a soundproof cover.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle structure having a suspension member, a drive motor, and a soundproof cover. The drive motor is attached to the suspension member. The soundproof cover is attached to the suspension member and configured to cover at least a portion of the drive motor.

[0007] According to the above vehicle structure, the workability of installing the soundproof cover can be improved.

[0008] 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle structure according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a plan view of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a side view of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a soundproof cover is removed from the vehicle structure of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the suspension member, inverter, motor, and reducer in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 4 in a vehicle structure according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 6 in a vehicle structure according to a second embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to a modified example of FIG. 1.

[0009] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical components are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. In the drawings, the size and proportions of each component are exaggerated to facilitate understanding of the embodiment, and may differ from the actual size and proportions. Note that a coordinate system is used in the drawings. X indicates the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and is referred to as the fore-and-aft direction X. Y indicates the vehicle width direction, and is referred to as the vehicle width direction Y. Z indicates the vehicle height direction, and is referred to as the height direction Z.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle structure according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 1. The vehicle structure according to this embodiment can be applied to the rear wheel vicinity of an automobile. The vehicle structure has a suspension member 10, a drive unit 20, and a soundproof cover 30. Details will be described below.

[0011] (Suspension Member) Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the vehicle structure of Figure 1 with the soundproof cover 30 removed. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the suspension member 10 and components of the drive unit 20 in Figure 4. The suspension member 10 is provided to connect the vehicle and the tires. In this embodiment, the suspension member 10 includes side members 11, 12, 13, and 14 and cross members 15 and 16, as shown in Figure 4 and other figures.

[0012] The side members 11, 12, 13, and 14 are configured as components that extend approximately in the fore-and-aft direction X of the vehicle. The side members 11 and 12 are disposed near the right tire, and the side members 13 and 14 are disposed near the left tire. The side members 11 and 12 are configured to be arranged in two stages in the height direction Z so as to connect to the cross members 15 and 16. The side members 13 and 14, like the side members 11 and 12, are arranged in two stages in the height direction Z so as to connect to the cross members 15 and 16.

[0013] The cross members 15 and 16 are configured to extend in the vehicle width direction Y so as to connect the side members 11 and 12 to the side members 13 and 14. The cross member 15 is configured to be disposed forward of the cross member 16.

[0014] (Drive unit) Fig. 6 is a side view of Fig. 4. The drive unit 20 is configured to generate a driving force for driving the wheels as drive wheels. As shown in Fig. 4, the drive unit 20 includes an inverter 21, a drive motor 22, and a reducer 23.

[0015] The inverter 21 is configured to convert direct current supplied from a battery (not shown) into alternating current and supply it to the drive motor 22. The drive motor 22 is configured to generate driving force using the current output from the inverter 21. The inverter 21 is disposed on top of a housing 24 that houses components of a reducer 23, and the drive motor 22 is housed inside the housing 24. The reducer 23 is configured to be able to adjust the driving force generated by the drive motor 22 by housing various gears and the like that make up the reducer 23 inside the housing 24.

[0016] The inverter 21 , drive motor 22 , etc. are configured to be attached to the suspension member 10 by attaching a housing 24 of a reducer 23 to the cross members 15 and 16 .

[0017] (Soundproof Cover) The soundproof cover 30 is configured to reduce noise generated by the drive unit 20. The soundproof cover 30 covers the upper side of the drive unit 20 and is configured to be attached to the rear suspension member 10. The soundproof cover 30 can be attached to the vertical walls 32 of the cross members 15, 16 and side members 11, 13 that make up the suspension member 10. Conventionally, the soundproof cover 30 has been attached to the back side of the vehicle body, but this requires the worker to assume a posture that puts strain on the assembly worker, resulting in poor workability. In contrast, by attaching the soundproof cover 30 to the suspension member 10, the soundproof cover is not attached to the vehicle body, so the worker does not need to assume a posture that puts strain on the worker, improving workability.

[0018] The soundproof cover 30 is formed so as to leave a predetermined gap between it and the inverter 21 and other components of the drive unit 20 that are adjacent to it. A spacing shape 31 can be provided on the top of the soundproof cover 30 to leave a gap between it and adjacent components such as the inverter 21 that are components of the drive unit 20. In addition, openings (not shown) can be provided on the sides of the soundproof cover 30 in the front-to-rear direction to allow wiring and other components to pass through the inside and outside of the soundproof cover 30.

[0019] 2, the soundproof cover 30 has both end portions 33 of the front portion in the vehicle width direction Y positioned further rearward than the center portion, in other words, the front portion is formed in a bow shape. This configuration reduces the water pressure applied to the soundproof cover 30 when driving on a flooded road, and prevents the soundproof cover 30 from falling off the suspension member 10. The material of the soundproof cover 30 is not particularly limited, but examples include resin fiber material and steel plate.

[0020] Second Embodiment Figure 7 shows a vehicle structure according to a second embodiment, and is a view corresponding to Figure 4. In the first embodiment, the soundproof cover 30 is attached to the suspension member 10, but a bracket 40 may be attached to the suspension member 10 to support the area of ​​the soundproof cover 30 that covers the drive motor 22. Note that, since the configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the bracket 40, the same reference numerals are used for the components common to the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0021] In Figure 7, brackets 40 are attached to the upper parts of the side members 11 and 13 of the suspension member 10 so as to straddle the drive unit 20 from side to side. Then, in this state, soundproof cover 30 can be attached so as to cover the suspension member 10 and bracket 40. With this configuration, the area of ​​the soundproof cover that covers the drive motor 22 is supported, and the holding strength of the soundproof cover can be ensured.

[0022] Alternatively, the bracket 40 may be positioned such that the soundproof cover 30 is attached to cover the upper part of the drive unit 20, and the bracket 40 is attached to the upper side of the soundproof cover 30. By configuring it in this way, the area of ​​the soundproof cover that covers the drive motor 22 can be supported, and the holding strength of the soundproof cover can be ensured.

[0023] Furthermore, since the inverter 21 has steps or recesses 21a formed between the components of the inverter 21, the bracket 40 can be disposed in the recesses 21a. With this configuration, the bracket 40 can be disposed in a dead space such as the recesses 21a that are spaced (offset) from the corners of the inverter 21, and the panel F located at the boundary of the luggage compartment can be disposed so as to prevent the luggage compartment space from becoming narrow.

[0024] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a modification of FIG. 1 . In the first embodiment, a separation shape 31 is provided near the top of the soundproof cover 30 in a region close to the inverter 21, a component of the drive unit 20, to ensure a gap between the soundproof cover 30 and adjacent components. However, an opening 34 can be formed in the soundproof cover 30b in a region close to the inverter 21. This configuration prevents the shape of the adjacent region of the soundproof cover 30b from coming into close contact with the panel F (see FIG. 3) that defines the luggage compartment, etc. Furthermore, while the soundproof cover has been described as being attached to the rear suspension member 10, this is not a limitation and the soundproof cover may be attached to a front suspension member.

[0025] The following embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention: a vehicle structure according to claim 1 having the features of claim 2; a vehicle structure according to claim 2 having the features of claim 3; a vehicle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3 having the features of claim 4; and a vehicle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 having the features of claim 5.

[0026] 10 Suspension member, 20 Drive unit, 21a Recess, 22 Drive motor, 30, 30b Soundproof cover, 33 Both ends, 34 Opening, 40 Bracket

Claims

1. A vehicle structure having a suspension member, a drive unit attached to the suspension member and including a drive motor, and a soundproof cover attached to the suspension member and covering a part of the drive motor.

2. The vehicle structure according to claim 1, further comprising a bracket attached to the suspension member and supporting a region of the soundproof cover that covers the drive motor.

3. The vehicle structure according to claim 2, wherein the bracket is disposed in a recess formed by components located above the drive unit.

4. The vehicle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in the shape of the front side, both end portions in the vehicle width direction are disposed further rearward than the central portion.

5. The vehicle structure according to claim 1, wherein an opening is formed at a portion close to the drive unit in the soundproof cover.

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