JP2024136034A - Electric compressor mounted structure - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an improved electric compressor mounting structure for fixing a combination of an electric compressor and a motor unit in a mounting space. [Solution] The electric compressor mounting structure 10 includes a mount bracket (first mount bracket 20) joined to the lower side of the vehicle frame 12 via a mount insulator fixed to the vehicle frame 12, and having a first surface 20m1 facing the extension direction (Y direction) of the vehicle frame 12 and a second surface 20m2 on the opposite side to the first surface 20m1, a motor unit 24 fastened at a plurality of first fastening positions aligned in the vertical direction (Z direction) on the first surface 20m1, and an electric compressor 26 fastened at a plurality of second fastening positions 30a, 32a aligned in the vertical direction on the second surface 20m2. The second fastening positions 30a, 32a aligned in the vertical direction are arranged to sandwich the uppermost first fastening position aligned in the vertical direction in the vertical direction. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an electric compressor mounting structure.

Conventionally, electric vehicles have a power unit (motor unit) called an "e-axle" that integrates a motor as a drive source, an inverter that controls the power, a transaxle that connects to the tires, and other devices, fixed to the underside of the mounting space under the bonnet at the front of the vehicle. In addition, a control unit (e.g., an ESU (Electricity Supply Unit) and motor accessories are fixed to the upper side of the mounting space.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-52534 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-310252

In the motor unit fixing structure described above, when the electric compressor is located on the side of the motor unit, the mount insulator that is interposed when fixing the motor unit to the frame is often located on the top surface of the motor unit, taking into consideration the ease of mounting parts between the two side members extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. In this case, the dimensions of the parts in the vertical direction of the vehicle tend to become large, making the mounting structure unstable and making the motor unit more susceptible to vibrations when driven. In addition, as a result of the dimensions of the parts in the vertical direction of the vehicle becoming large, it becomes necessary to raise the height of the bonnet (vehicle hood), which is a design problem.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved electric compressor mounting structure for fixing the combination of an electric compressor and a motor unit in a mounting space.

To achieve the above object, the electric compressor mounting structure of the present invention comprises a mount bracket joined to the lower side of the vehicle frame via a mount insulator fixed to the vehicle frame and having a first surface facing the extension direction of the vehicle frame and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a motor unit fastened at a plurality of first fastening positions aligned vertically on the first surface, and an electric compressor fastened at a plurality of second fastening positions aligned vertically on the second surface, the second fastening positions aligned vertically being disposed vertically on either side of the uppermost first fastening position aligned vertically.

With this configuration, for example, by vertically sandwiching the uppermost first fastening position in the vertical row with the second fastening positions arranged vertically, it is possible to add part of the rigidity of the electric compressor to the rigidity of the mounting bracket that suspends the motor unit, which is a heavy object. In other words, the rigidity of the electric compressor mounting structure is improved, the occurrence of vibrations, etc. is suppressed, and this contributes to an improvement of the mounting structure.

The electric compressor mounting structure according to the present invention includes a mount bracket that is joined to the lower side of the vehicle frame via a mount insulator fixed to the vehicle frame and has a first surface facing the extension direction of the vehicle frame and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a motor unit that is fastened at a plurality of first fastening positions that are vertically aligned on the first surface, and an electric compressor that is fastened at a plurality of second fastening positions that are vertically aligned on the second surface, the second surface having a recess that is recessed toward the first surface, and the electric compressor is fastened to the second surface in a position where a portion of the electric compressor fits into the recess.

This configuration, for example, makes it possible to reduce the size of the combined electric compressor and motor unit, improving the effect of reducing (downsizing) the mounting space (in the direction in which the electric compressor and motor unit are arranged and in the vertical direction of the vehicle), and contributing to an improved mounting structure.

In addition, in the electric compressor mounting structure according to the present invention, for example, the fastening member that fastens the motor unit to the first surface may protrude from the bottom of the recess toward the first surface and fasten the motor unit.

This configuration, for example, can further reduce the size of the electric compressor and motor unit in the arrangement direction, contributing to an improved mounting structure.

The present invention provides an improved electric compressor mounting structure for fixing the combined electric compressor and motor unit to the mounting space.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic front view (as viewed from the front side of an electric vehicle) showing an entire electric compressor mounting structure according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic side view showing a first mounting bracket of the electric compressor mounting structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic side view showing a state in which the electric compressor is fastened to the first mount bracket of the electric compressor mounting structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic side view showing the overall configuration of the electric compressor mounting structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic side view showing a state in which the electric compressor is removed from FIG. 4 to expose the fastening position.

The following describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is an exemplary and schematic front view showing the entire electric compressor mounting structure 10 of the present invention.

For convenience, three mutually orthogonal directions are defined in each of the following figures. The X direction is the direction along the front-to-rear direction of the electric vehicle, the Y direction is the direction along the vehicle width direction (left-to-right direction) of the electric vehicle, and the Z direction is the direction along the height direction (up-down direction) of the electric vehicle.

A vehicle frame 12 extending in the Y direction is provided in a portion of the mounting space (space under the bonnet) of the electric vehicle (not shown). The vehicle frame 12 is suspended from a pair of side members (not shown) that extend in the X direction of the mounting space.

In this embodiment, the electric compressor mounting structure 10 has the motor unit, electric compressor 26, etc. suspended and fixed by a pair of mounting brackets held via a pair of mounting insulators fixed to the underside (-Z direction) of the vehicle frame 12.

Specifically, the first mount insulator 14, which is one of the mount insulators, is fixed to the underside (-Z direction) of the vehicle frame 12 by a fastening member 16 such as a bolt. Similarly, the second mount insulator 18, which is the other mount insulator, is fixed to the underside (-Z direction) of the vehicle frame 12 by a fastening member 16. The first mount insulator 14 and the second mount insulator 18 are formed of an elastic member such as rubber, and each have, for example, cylindrical retaining holes 14a, 18a that penetrate in the Y direction.

The connecting arm 20a formed on the upper end of the first mount bracket 20 is inserted, for example, in a press-fit state, into the retaining hole 14a. Similarly, the connecting arm 22a formed on the upper end of the second mount bracket 22 is inserted, for example, in a press-fit state, into the retaining hole 18a. The first mount insulator 14 and the second mount insulator 18 connect the first mount bracket 20 and the second mount bracket 22 via the retaining holes 14a, 18a, thereby realizing the function of suppressing or reducing the transmission of vibrations of the first mount bracket 20, the second mount bracket 22, and the structure supported by the first mount bracket 20 and the second mount bracket 22 to the vehicle frame 12 side.

The first mounting bracket 20 is a generally plate-shaped member made of, for example, iron material, etc., with a connecting arm 20a extending in the +Y direction and a fixed surface extending along the X-Z plane. The second mounting bracket 22 is similar to the first mounting bracket 20 in that it has a connecting arm 22a extending in the -Y direction and a fixed surface extending along the X-Z plane, although the detailed shape of the second mounting bracket 22 is different, but it is similar to the first mounting bracket 20 in that it has a connecting arm 22a extending in the -Y direction and a fixed surface extending along the X-Z plane, and is a generally plate-shaped member made of, for example, iron material, etc.

The first mounting bracket 20 has a first surface 20m1 facing one side (the surface in the extension direction (-Y direction) of the vehicle frame 12) among fixing surfaces extending along the X-Z plane, and a second surface 20m2 facing the opposite side (+Y direction) of the first surface 20m1. One end surface of the motor unit 24 is fastened and fixed to the first surface 20m1 of the first mounting bracket 20. Meanwhile, the electric compressor 26 is fastened and fixed to the second surface 20m2 of the first mounting bracket 20.

The second mount bracket 22 has a first surface 22m1 facing one side (the surface in the extension direction (-Y direction) of the vehicle frame 12) among the fixing surfaces extending along the X-Z plane, and a second surface 22m2 facing the opposite side (+Y direction) of the first surface 22m1. The other end surface of the motor unit 24 is fastened and fixed to the second surface 22m2 of the second mount bracket 22. Therefore, the motor unit 24 is suspended and fixed to the vehicle frame 12 while being sandwiched between the first mount bracket 20 and the second mount bracket 22.

The motor unit 24 is a power unit known as an "e-axle" that integrates devices such as a motor, inverter, and transaxle. The motor is the main driving source for an electric vehicle, and may be a type that uses permanent magnets. The inverter converts the direct current flowing from the battery into alternating current (three-phase alternating current) to drive the motor. The inverter also controls the motor output in response to the accelerator operation of the electric vehicle. The transaxle (power transmission mechanism) includes a transmission that appropriately changes the rotation of the motor, and a differential gear that distributes driving force to the drive shafts 28 connected to the left and right tires.

The electric compressor 26 is a device that is used, for example, to compress and send air for an air conditioning system mounted on an electric vehicle, or for thermal management to cool on-board electronic devices such as batteries that tend to become hot. In this embodiment, the electric compressor 26 is fastened to the side of the motor unit 24 via the first mounting bracket 20. The motor unit 24 and the electric compressor 26 integrated together may also be referred to as a "combined body M." As will be described later, fastening the electric compressor 26 to the first mounting bracket 20 improves the rigidity of the first mounting bracket 20, and improves the vibration suppression effect of the entire electric compressor mounting structure 10.

The electric compressor mounting structure 10 configured as described above needs to be accommodated in a limited mounting space, for example under the front bonnet of an electric vehicle. In addition, there are cases where it is desirable to lower the height of the bonnet in order to improve the design of the electric vehicle. In other words, if it is possible to reduce the size of the electric compressor mounting structure 10, which is made up of various devices, it will increase design freedom and also contribute to cost reductions and improved design. Below, we will explain the features of the electric compressor mounting structure 10, which has been devised to achieve a smaller size.

First, in order to achieve size reduction in the Z direction, in the electric compressor mounting structure 10 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the first mount insulator 14 and the second mount insulator 18 are fixed to the underside of the vehicle frame 12, and the motor unit 24 is supported by being suspended while being sandwiched from the left and right direction (Y direction). In addition, the first mount insulator 14 and the second mount insulator 18 are arranged so as to overlap the upper region S of the combined body M (motor unit 24) in the Y direction. In other words, a structure for fixing the combined body M to the vehicle frame 12 is arranged below the vehicle frame 12. In other words, the size reduction in the Z direction of the electric compressor mounting structure 10 is achieved by not arranging the first mount insulator 14 and the second mount insulator 18 above the vehicle frame 12, or by not allowing a part of them to protrude from the upper surface side of the vehicle frame 12. Furthermore, by arranging the first mount insulator 14 and the second mount insulator 18 and the upper region S of the combined body M (motor unit 24) so that they overlap in the Y direction, this contributes to reducing the size in the -Z direction in the lower region of the vehicle frame 12 compared to when there is no overlap.

Figure 2 is an exemplary and schematic side view showing the first mounting bracket 20 of the electric compressor mounting structure 10. Also, Figure 3 is an exemplary and schematic side view showing the state in which the electric compressor 26 is fastened to the first mounting bracket 20 of the electric compressor mounting structure 10. As shown in Figure 1, the motor unit 24 is fastened to the first surface 20m1 side, and the electric compressor 26 is fastened to the second surface 20m2 side.

2, a recess 20b is formed on a portion of the second surface 20m2 of the first mount bracket 20, recessed toward the first surface 20m1 in side view. As shown in FIG. 3, the electric compressor 26 is a part whose main body is substantially cylindrical, and is arranged such that a portion of the electric compressor 26 (a portion of the side surface (curved surface) of the cylinder) fits into the recess 20b, and is fastened to the second surface 20m2 with a plurality of fastening members 30 (lower side in the Z direction) and fastening members 32 (upper side in the Z direction), such as bolts. In this respect, the first mount bracket 20 can also contribute to a reduction in size in the Y direction when the electric compressor 26 is fastened to the first mount bracket 20, compared to a case in which the first mount bracket 20 does not have the recess 20b.

As described above in the description of FIG. 1, the first mount bracket 20 is fastened to the motor unit 24 by fastening members 34 (lower side in the Z direction) such as bolts and fastening members 36 (upper side in the Z direction). In this case, the lower fastening members 34 for fastening the motor unit 24 to the first surface 20m1 are inserted from the second surface 20m2 side, and the bolt head 34h is present at the bottom 20c of the recess 20b, and the threaded portion 34s protrudes toward the first surface 20m1 side, and fastening is performed. In this way, by arranging the bolt head 34h of the fastening member 34 in the recess 20b, it is no longer necessary to provide a space for the bolt head 34h in the Y direction, which also contributes to reducing the size in the Y direction. In addition, by arranging the fastening member 34 in the recess 20b, it is possible to easily avoid interference between the fastening member 34 and the electric compressor 26, which also contributes to improving the freedom of selection of the fastening position of the motor unit 24.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electric compressor 26 is disposed directly below the first mount insulator 14, and the drive shaft 28 is disposed further below the electric compressor 26. In this case, it is possible to reduce the arrangement space in the Y direction compared to when the electric compressor 26 is not disposed directly below the first mount insulator 14. In other words, this also contributes to reducing the size in the Y direction. Although not shown, an ESU (Electricity Supply unit) is disposed on the top surface (or above) of the vehicle frame 12. The ESU is, for example, a device that connects the battery of the electric vehicle and the motor unit 24 to distribute power.

In this way, the electric compressor mounting structure 10 of this embodiment can be reduced in size in the Z direction (vertical direction) and Y direction (vehicle width direction), improving the freedom of layout design when mounting it on an electric vehicle. Furthermore, the reduction in size can ease spatial constraints, which also contributes to improving design. In particular, the freedom is improved when mounting the electric compressor mounting structure 10 on a light-type electric vehicle, which has severe limitations on mounting space.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the first mount bracket 20 of this embodiment has the connecting arm 20a inserted into the retaining hole 14a of the first mount insulator 14, and the motor unit 24, which is a heavy component, is suspended and fixed at the first fastening position using fastening members 34, 36, etc. In this case, the first mount bracket 20 may sway (vibrate) in the Y direction due to vibrations caused by gear meshing during operation of the transaxle that constitutes the motor unit 24, for example. Therefore, the electric compressor mounting structure 10 of this embodiment realizes a structure that uses the rigidity of the electric compressor 26 to reduce or suppress the sway (vibration) of the first mount bracket 20 in the Y direction.

Figure 4 is an exemplary and schematic side view showing the overall configuration of the electric compressor mounting structure 10. Also, Figure 5 is an exemplary and schematic side view showing the state in Figure 4 where the electric compressor 26 has been removed to expose the electric compressor fastening position.

5, the first mount bracket 20 of this embodiment fastens the motor unit 24 with two fastening members 34 (bolts) on the lower side in the Z direction and two fastening members 36 (bolts) on the upper side in the Z direction. That is, the motor unit 24 is fastened at a plurality of first fastening positions 34a, 36a (insertion through-hole positions for the lower fastening members 34 and insertion through-hole positions for the two upper fastening members 36) arranged in the vertical direction (Z direction) as viewed from the first surface 20m1 (see FIG. 2) of the first mount bracket 20. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the first mount bracket 20 fastens the electric compressor 26 with two fastening members 30 (bolts) on the lower side in the Z direction and two fastening members 32 (bolts) on the upper side in the Z direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the electric compressor 26 is fastened at a number of second fastening positions 30a, 32a (the insertion through-hole positions for the lower fastening member 30 and the insertion through-hole positions for the two upper fastening members 32) that are aligned in the vertical direction (Z direction) when viewed from the second surface 20m2 of the first mounting bracket 20.

In this case, the second fastening positions 30a, 32a arranged in the vertical direction (Z direction) are arranged on either side of the uppermost first fastening position 36a arranged in the vertical direction (Z direction). That is, in the +Z direction of the first mounting bracket 20, the fastening position of the electric compressor 26 is set at a position higher than the fastening position of the motor unit 24. As a result, the rigidity of the first mounting bracket 20 at a position higher in the +Z direction than the fastening position of the motor unit 24 is improved by fastening the electric compressor 26. As a result, it is possible to contribute to suppressing or reducing the swinging (vibration) of the first mounting bracket 20 due to the vibration of the motor unit 24. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the second fastening position 32a is set at a position slightly higher in the +Z direction than the uppermost first fastening position 36a. The further the second fastening position 32a is from the first fastening position 36a in the +Z direction, the greater the effect of improving rigidity, but it is desirable to place it in an appropriate position, taking into consideration interference with other components and the size of the entire electric compressor mounting structure 10 in the Z direction.

(Effects of this embodiment)
As described above, the electric compressor mounting structure 10 according to this embodiment includes a mount bracket (first mount bracket 20) joined to the lower side of the vehicle frame 12 via mount insulators (first mount insulator 14, second mount insulator 18) fixed to the vehicle frame 12 and including a first surface 20m1 facing the extension direction (Y direction) of the vehicle frame 12 and a second surface 20m2 opposite to the first surface 20m1, a motor unit 24 fastened at a plurality of first fastening positions 34a, 36a aligned in the vertical direction (Z direction) on the first surface 20m1, and an electric compressor 26 fastened at a plurality of second fastening positions 30a, 32a aligned in the vertical direction on the second surface 20m2. The second fastening positions 30a, 32a aligned in the vertical direction are disposed to sandwich the uppermost first fastening position 36a aligned in the vertical direction in the vertical direction. In this way, by arranging the second fastening positions 30a, 32a aligned in the vertical direction (Z direction) to sandwich the uppermost first fastening position 36a aligned in the vertical direction in the vertical direction, it is possible to add a part of the rigidity of the electric compressor 26 to the rigidity of the first mount bracket 20 that suspends the motor unit 24, which is a heavy object. In other words, the rigidity of the region above the fastening position of the motor unit 24 of the first mount bracket 20 in the +Z direction is improved, and it is possible to reduce or suppress the swinging (vibration) of the first mount bracket 20 in response to the vibration of the motor unit 24. As a result, the rigidity of the electric compressor mounting structure 10 as a whole is improved, the occurrence of vibrations and the like is suppressed, and this contributes to the improvement of the mounting structure.

In addition, the electric compressor mounting structure 10 of this embodiment includes a mount bracket (first mount bracket 20) that is joined to the lower side of the vehicle frame 12 via mount insulators (first mount insulator 14, second mount insulator 18) fixed to the vehicle frame 12 and has a first surface 20m1 facing the extension direction (Y direction) of the vehicle frame 12 and a second surface 20m2 opposite to the first surface 20m1, a motor unit 24 that is fastened at a plurality of first fastening positions 34a, 36a that are aligned in the vertical direction (Z direction) on the first surface 20m1, and an electric compressor 26 that is fastened at a plurality of second fastening positions 30a, 32a that are aligned in the vertical direction on the second surface 20m2. The second surface 20m2 has a recess 20b recessed toward the first surface 20m1, and the electric compressor 26 is fastened to the second surface 20m2 with a portion of the electric compressor 26 recessed into the recess 20b. This, for example, makes it possible to reduce the size of the combination M of the electric compressor 26 and the motor unit 24, improving the reduction (size reduction) of the mounting space (in the arrangement direction of the electric compressor 26 and the motor unit 24 and in the vertical direction of the vehicle), and contributing to an improvement in the mounting structure.

In addition, in the electric compressor mounting structure 10 of this embodiment, the fastening member 34 that fastens the motor unit 24 to the first surface 20m1 may protrude from the bottom of the recess 20b toward the first surface 20m1 for fastening. This can, for example, further reduce the size of the electric compressor 26 and the motor unit 24 in the arrangement direction (Y direction), contributing to an improvement in the mounting structure.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above-mentioned embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. This new embodiment can be embodied in various other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, this embodiment is included within the scope and gist of the invention, and is included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Electric compressor mounting structure 12 Vehicle frame 14 First mount insulator 14a Retaining hole 16, 30, 32, 34, 36 Fastening member 18 Second mount insulator 20 First mount bracket 20b Recess 20m1 First surface 20m2 Second surface 22 Second mount bracket 24 Motor unit 26 Electric compressor 28 Drive shaft 30a, 32a Second fastening position 34a, 36a First fastening position M Combined body

Claims (3)

a mount bracket joined to a lower side of the vehicle frame via a mount insulator fixed to the vehicle frame, the mount bracket having a first surface facing an extension direction of the vehicle frame and a second surface opposite to the first surface;
a motor unit fastened at a plurality of first fastening positions aligned in a vertical direction on the first surface;
an electric compressor fastened at a plurality of second fastening positions arranged vertically on the second surface;
Equipped with
An electric compressor mounting structure, wherein the second fastening positions arranged in the vertical direction are disposed vertically on either side of the uppermost first fastening position arranged in the vertical direction. a mount bracket joined to a lower side of the vehicle frame via a mount insulator fixed to the vehicle frame, the mount bracket having a first surface facing an extension direction of the vehicle frame and a second surface opposite to the first surface;
a motor unit fastened at a plurality of first fastening positions aligned in a vertical direction on the first surface;
an electric compressor fastened at a plurality of second fastening positions arranged vertically on the second surface;
Equipped with
The second surface includes a recess recessed toward the first surface,
The electric compressor is fastened to the second surface in a position in which a portion of the electric compressor fits into the recess. The electric compressor mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein the fastening member for fastening the motor unit to the first surface protrudes from the bottom of the recess toward the first surface and fastens the motor unit.

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