JP4816233B2 - Traction motor cooling structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of a traction motor cooling structure for an electric vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a traction motor for an electric vehicle is supported on a vehicle body via cross members extending in the vehicle width direction, which are respectively disposed at positions in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the motor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-156663

  However, in the above prior art, since the cross-sectional shape of the cross member disposed on the vehicle front side of the traction motor is formed in a rectangular shape, the traveling wind stays in the vicinity of the cross member, and low-temperature air is transferred to the motor. It cannot be efficiently supplied upward. For this reason, there has been a problem that the cooling efficiency is low, and the output is likely to decrease as the motor temperature increases.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a traction motor cooling structure capable of increasing the cooling efficiency of a traction motor by traveling wind and suppressing a decrease in motor output. It is in.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
In the traction motor support structure for supporting the vehicle front side end portion of the motor to the vehicle body via a cross member of a motor support member arranged in front of the traction motor,
A first guide slope that guides the flow of traveling wind to the upper side of the motor of the motor is set on the cross member ,
A support bracket for reinforcing the cross member is provided above the cross member so that the front end portion of the motor is suspended and fixed .

In the present invention, a part of the traveling wind flow in the vicinity of the cross member is guided upward of the traction motor by the first guide slope set on the cross member, so that the cross-sectional shape of the cross member is rectangular compared with the prior art. Thus, more traveling wind can be supplied to the upper side of the motor.
As a result, it is possible to increase the cooling efficiency of the traction motor by the traveling wind and to suppress the output reduction of the motor.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on Examples 1 to 3.

First, the configuration will be described.
[Overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a rear suspension of a hybrid vehicle to which the traction motor cooling structure of Embodiment 1 is applied, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view.

  The traction motor 1a is a motor that drives a front wheel (not shown) of a vehicle via a differential gear 1b and a drive shaft 1c. The traction motor 1a is provided in the motor unit 1 integrally with the differential gear 1b, and is a suspension member (motor support member). 2 is supported by the vehicle body.

  The suspension member 2 supports the motor unit 1 on the vehicle body, and supports suspension arms, suspension rods, etc. (not shown). The suspension member 2 is disposed in front of and behind the motor unit 1 and extends in the vehicle width direction. Two cross members 2a, 2b, two side members 2c, 2d arranged in the vehicle width direction of the motor unit 1 and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and four leg portions 2e provided at the four corners, the leg portion 2e Are fixed to side members (not shown) of the vehicle body.

  The vehicle front side end portion of the motor unit 1 is suspended and fixed to the cross member 2a via the support bracket 3, and the vehicle rear side end portion of the motor unit 1 is supported by the cross member 2b.

  The support bracket 3 reinforces the cross member 2b, and is formed in a substantially U shape. Both ends of the U shape are connected to positions between the cross member 2a and the leg 2e of the suspension member 2, and the center The portion is located above the vehicle away from the cross member 2b.

  A rear floor 5 of the vehicle is disposed above the motor unit 1, and a cross member 6 extends between the motor unit 1 and the rear floor 5 in the vehicle width direction. A fuel tank 4 for supplying an engine (not shown) in front of the vehicle is disposed on the vehicle front side of the suspension member 2.

  On the upper surface of the cross member 2a, a first guide slope 7 that guides the flow of traveling wind toward the upper side of the motor unit 1 is set. In addition, in the cross section of the cross member 2a, two reinforcements (first reinforcing members) 8a and 8b that increase the cross section modulus of the cross member 2 are provided.

  A second guide slope 9 is set on the lower surface of the support bracket 3 so as to face the first guide slope 7 and guide the flow of traveling wind toward the rear of the vehicle. In addition, two reinforcements (second reinforcing members) 10 a and 10 b that increase the section modulus of the support bracket 3 are provided in the cross section of the support bracket 3.

  On the lower surface of the cross member 6, a third guide slope 11 that guides the flow of traveling wind guided upward by the first guide slope 7 and the second guide slope 9 to the rear of the vehicle is set.

[Each guide slope setting]
Next, a method for setting the cross-sectional shapes of the first, second, and third guide slopes that are most efficient for guiding the traveling wind will be described.

  In FIG. 3, the contact point D of the tangent line 1 drawn to the motor unit 1 is set from the midpoint C between the front end portion A of the cross member 2 a and the lower end B of the support bracket 3. Subsequently, the first guide slope 7 of the cross member 2a is connected to the point A, which is the rear end portion and the upper end portion of the cross member 2a, by a curve continuous with the straight line m connecting the point E and the point D. Form with.

  Further, an intersection point F between the rear floor 5 and the straight line p extending from the point C is set in parallel with the inclination of the straight line n connecting the point A and the point D. Next, the second guide slope 9 of the support bracket 3 is formed from B with the same inclination as the straight lines n and p, and the rear end portion is defined as G. Then, the intersection point between the straight line q passing through B and G and the cross member 6 is H, and the third guide surface of the cross member 6 is formed by a curve connecting F and H.

Next, the operation will be described.
[Running wind guide action by guide slope]
As shown in FIG. 1, when the vehicle travels, the traveling wind A flowing from the front of the vehicle is divided into the lower and upper portions of the motor unit 1 by the first guide slope 7 of the cross member 2 a. Then, the upward traveling wind B passes between the cross member 2 a and the support bracket 3. At this time, the wind direction of the traveling wind contacting the second guide slope 9 of the support bracket 3 is upward and the rear of the vehicle.

  Thereafter, the traveling wind traveling upward in front of the motor unit 1 is guided by the third guide slope 11 of the cross member 6 and passes through the space between the rear floor 5 and the motor unit 1 (traveling wind C). Go out to the rear of the vehicle.

  That is, in the first embodiment, since the first guide slope 7 that guides the flow of the traveling wind toward the vehicle upper side of the motor unit 1 is set in the cross member 2a, a part of the traveling wind flow near the cross member 2a is applied to the cross member 2a. It is guided upward of the motor unit 1 by the set first guide slope 7. Thereby, compared with the prior art which made the cross-sectional shape of the cross member rectangular, more running wind can be supplied to the upper side of the motor 1a, and the cooling efficiency of the motor 1a by running wind can be improved.

  At this time, since the first guide slope 7 is formed by a curve continuous with the straight line m connecting the point E and the point D, the first guide slope 7 contacts the motor unit 1 in the traveling wind guided upward by the first guide slope 7. All of the traveling wind can be guided upward of the motor unit 1. That is, since air does not stay in the lower part of the motor unit 1, the traveling wind can be efficiently guided upward of the motor unit 1.

  Further, in the first embodiment, since the second guide slope 9 that guides the flow of the traveling wind toward the rear of the motor unit 1 is set in the support bracket 3, in addition to the traveling wind being applied to the upper portion of the motor 1a, the air flows upward. Therefore, it is possible to suppress excessive travel and improve cooling efficiency.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the cross member 6 is provided with the third guide slope 11 that guides the flow of the traveling wind toward the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the air applied to the motor unit 1 can easily flow backward, and the air flows at the front of the motor. Without staying, low-temperature air can be sent to the motor unit 1, and the cooling efficiency can be further increased.

  At this time, since the third guide slope 11 is formed by a curve that continues from the extended line (straight line) q of the second guide slope to the rear of the vehicle, all of the traveling wind that has been redirected to the rear of the vehicle by the second guide slope 9 is obtained. It is possible to guide the motor unit 1 rearward efficiently.

[Strength / rigidity maintaining action of cross member]
In the first embodiment, since the first guide slope 7 is set on the cross member 2a, the cross-sectional shape thereof is substantially triangular, and the cross-sectional modulus is lower than that of a cross member having a conventional rectangular cross section, and the lateral direction. The rigidity with respect to the bending is reduced.

  On the other hand, in Example 1, the two reinforcements 8a and 8b which raise the cross-sectional modulus of the cross member 2a were provided in the cross section of the cross member 2a. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the shortage of rigidity accompanying the decrease in the section modulus can be reinforced by the reinforcements 8a and 8b, and sufficient strength rigidity can be ensured.

  In the first embodiment, since the support bracket 3 for reinforcing the cross member 2a to which the front end portion of the motor 1a is suspended and fixed is provided above the cross member 2a, the rigidity associated with the reduction in the cross-sectional modulus of the cross member 2a is increased. The shortage can be reinforced with the support bracket 3.

  In the first embodiment, since the second guide slope 9 is also set in the support bracket 3, a lack of rigidity occurs due to a decrease in the section modulus. However, in the first embodiment, in the cross section of the support bracket 3. Since the reinforcements 10a and 10b for increasing the section modulus of the support bracket 3 are provided, the support bracket 3 can have sufficient strength and rigidity.

Next, the effect will be described.
The traction motor cooling structure of Embodiment 1 has the following effects.

  (1) In a traction motor support structure in which a vehicle front side end portion of a motor 1a is supported by a vehicle body via a cross member 2a of a suspension member 2 disposed in front of the traction motor 1a, the cross member 2a has a traveling wind The 1st guide slope 7 which guides the flow of this to the vehicle upper direction of the motor 1a was set. Thereby, since the traveling wind flow in the vicinity of the cross member 2a can be guided to the upper side of the motor unit 1 by the first guide inclined surface 7, the cross section of the cross member has a rectangular cross-sectional shape compared to the prior art. More traveling wind can be supplied to the upper side, and the cooling efficiency of the motor 1a by traveling wind can be increased.

  (2) Since the reinforcements 8a and 8b are provided in the cross section of the cross member 2a, the lack of rigidity due to the reduction of the cross section modulus of the cross member 2a can be reinforced by the reinforcements 8a and 8b. Strength rigidity can be secured.

  (3) Since the support bracket 3 for reinforcing the cross member 2a, in which the front end portion of the motor 1a is suspended and fixed, is provided above the cross member 2a, the support bracket 3 can compensate for the lack of rigidity due to the reduction in the section modulus. It can be reinforced and sufficient strength and rigidity can be ensured.

  (4) A second guide slope 9 is set on the support bracket 3 to guide the flow of the traveling wind toward the rear of the motor 1a. Thereby, in addition to applying traveling wind to the upper part of the motor 1a, it is possible to suppress the air from excessively moving upward, and the cooling efficiency can be further increased.

  (5) Since the reinforcements 10a and 10b are provided in the cross section of the support bracket 3, the insufficient rigidity due to the reduction of the section modulus of the support bracket 3 can be reinforced by the reinforcements 10a and 10b. Strength rigidity can be secured.

  (6) Since the motor 1a is located below the cross member 6 installed on the left and right side members of the vehicle body, and the third guide slope 11 for guiding the flow of traveling wind to the rear of the vehicle is set on the cross member 6, the motor unit It becomes easy to flow the air applied to No. 1 backward, and air can be sent to the motor unit 1 without the air staying in the front part of the motor, so that the cooling efficiency can be further improved.

  The second embodiment is an example in which the second guide slope is rotated in accordance with the swing of the motor, and the traveling wind guide position with respect to the motor is maintained constant.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the rear suspension of the hybrid vehicle provided with the traction motor cooling structure of the second embodiment. In the motor unit 1 of the second embodiment, the two front end mounting portions 1d and 1d are arranged with respect to the support bracket 3. A rear end attaching portion 1e is attached to the suspension member 2 so as to be rotatable about the vehicle width direction axis.

  6 (a) is a plan view of the main part of the rear suspension showing the rotating structure of the support bracket 3, FIG. 6 (b) is a sectional view taken along the line S6-S6 of FIG. 6 (a) showing the rotating structure of the support bracket 3, and FIG. FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a main part of the rear suspension showing the rotation structure of the support bracket 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the support bracket 3 of the second embodiment is provided between the support bracket bodies 3a and 3a fixed to the suspension member 2 and both the support brackets 3a and 3a. A motor connecting portion 3b in which a two-guide slope 9 is set.

  The motor unit 1 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the motor connecting portion 3b via a rotation pin 12 extending in the vehicle width direction. Further, the motor connecting portion 3b is supported by the support bracket main bodies 3a and 3a so as to be rotatable via a rotation pin 13 extending in the vehicle width direction. The rotation pin 13 is provided at a position offset to the front of the vehicle with respect to the rotation pin 12, and the motor connection portion 3 b is rotated around the vehicle width direction axis by the rotation pins 12 and 13 according to the swing of the motor unit 1. A rotating link mechanism is configured.

Next, the operation will be described.
[Second guide slope rotation action]
FIG. 7 (a) shows a state where the driver keeps the accelerator pedal depressed at a constant level and the vehicle is traveling steadily. From this state, when the driver removes his / her foot from the accelerator pedal, torque fluctuation of the motor 1a occurs, and the motor unit 1 swings downward.

  At this time, the motor connection portion 3b rotates around the rotation pin 13 by a rotation moment generated around the rotation pin 13 in accordance with the swing of the motor unit 1 (FIG. 7B). By the rotation of the motor connecting portion 3b, the second guide inclined surface 9 is also rotated, and the relationship between the straight line p and the straight line q shown in FIG. 3 is always kept constant (parallel).

Next, the effect will be described.
The traction motor cooling structure according to the second embodiment has the following effects in addition to the effects (1) to (6) of the first embodiment.

  (7) The second guide inclined surface 9 rotates around the vehicle width direction axis according to the swing of the motor unit 1 and keeps the position relative to the motor 1a constant. Regardless, the guide direction of the traveling wind with respect to the motor 1a can always be kept constant, the cooling performance of the motor 1a can be maintained, and the output drop accompanying the swing of the motor 1a can be suppressed.

  Example 3 is an example in which the motor support member is brought into contact with the motor and the motor support member is provided with heat radiation fins.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a rear suspension of a hybrid vehicle to which the traction motor cooling structure of the third embodiment is applied. The third embodiment has a configuration in which the motor unit 1 is formed integrally with the suspension member 2 and the support bracket is omitted from the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The side members 2c and 2d of the suspension member 2 are in contact with the side surfaces of the motor unit 1, and heat radiating fins 14 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the side members 2c and 2d (FIG. 8B). ).

  Next, the operation will be described. In the third embodiment, when the motor 1a generates heat, a part of the heat generation amount is released to the atmosphere via the side members 2c and 2d of the suspension member 2. That is, since the side members 2c and 2d can be used as a heat radiating member of the motor 1a, the cooling performance of the motor 1a can be improved.

  Furthermore, in Example 3, since the radiation fins 14 were provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the side members 2c and 2d, respectively, the cooling effect of the motor 1a is further enhanced by increasing the surface area of the side members 2c and 2d that are the heat radiation members of the motor 1a. be able to.

Next, the effect will be described.
In the traction motor cooling structure of the third embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) to (6) of the first embodiment, the following effects are provided.

  (8) Since the suspension member 2 includes side members 2c and 2d that extend in the vehicle front-rear direction and come into contact with the left and right side surfaces of the motor unit 1, the side members 2c and 2d can be used as heat dissipation members for the motor 1a. The cooling performance of the motor 1a can be improved.

  (9) Since the heat radiation fins 14 are provided on the side members 2c and 2d, the cooling effect of the motor 1a can be further enhanced by increasing the surface area of the side members 2c and 2d, which are heat radiation members of the motor 1a.

(Other examples)
The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described based on the first to third embodiments. However, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments. Design changes and the like within a range that does not depart from the gist are also included in the present invention.

  For example, in the first to third embodiments, an example in which the motor support member is a suspension member is shown. However, the vehicle front side end portion of the motor is connected to the vehicle body via the cross member of the motor support member arranged in front of the traction motor. The traction motor cooling structure of the present invention can be applied as long as the structure is supported.

  In the second embodiment, an example in which the link mechanism is used to rotate the second guide slope around the vehicle width direction axis according to the swing of the motor. Is optional.

  In the first to third embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to a rear suspension member of a hybrid vehicle has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an electric vehicle and a front suspension as long as the configuration uses a traction motor. .

It is a side view of the rear suspension of the hybrid vehicle to which the traction motor cooling structure of Example 1 is applied. It is a perspective view of the rear suspension of the hybrid vehicle to which the traction motor cooling structure of Example 1 is applied. It is a side view of the rear suspension which shows the driving | running | working wind guide effect | action by the guide slope of Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the longitudinal cross-section of the cross member which shows the reinforcement effect | action by the reinforcement of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a rear suspension of a hybrid vehicle that provides a traction motor cooling structure according to a second embodiment. The main part top view (a) of the rear suspension of Example 2, S6-S6 sectional view (b) of Drawing 6 (a) which shows the rotation structure of a support bracket, The main part perspective view of the rear suspension which shows the rotation structure of a support bracket FIG. It is a figure which shows the guide slope rotation effect | action of Example 2. FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view (a) of a rear suspension of a hybrid vehicle to which a traction motor cooling structure according to a third embodiment is applied, and a longitudinal sectional view (b) of the rear suspension showing the shape of a radiation fin.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Motor unit 1a Traction motor 1b Differential gear 1c Drive shaft 1d, 1d Front end attaching part 1e Rear end attaching part 2 Suspension member 2a, 2b Cross member 2c, 2d Side member 2e Leg part 3 Support bracket 3a, 3a Support bracket main body 3b Motor Connection part 4 Tank 5 Rear floor 6 Cross member 7 Guide slopes 8a and 8b Reinforce 9 Guide slopes 10a and 10b Reinforce 11 Guide slopes 12 and 13 Rotating pin 14 Radiating fin

Claims (8)

In the traction motor support structure for supporting the vehicle front side end portion of the motor to the vehicle body via a cross member of a motor support member arranged in front of the traction motor,
A first guide slope that guides the flow of traveling wind to the upper side of the motor of the motor is set on the cross member ,
A traction motor cooling structure characterized in that a support bracket for reinforcing a cross member is provided above the cross member, and the front end of the motor is suspended and fixed . The traction motor cooling structure according to claim 1,
A traction motor cooling structure, wherein a first reinforcing member is provided in a cross section of the cross member. In the traction motor cooling structure according to claim 1 or 2,
A traction motor cooling structure characterized in that a second guide slope is set on the support bracket so as to face the first guide slope and guide the flow of traveling wind toward the rear of the vehicle. In the traction motor cooling structure according to claim 3,
A traction motor cooling structure, wherein a second reinforcing member is provided in a cross section of the support bracket. In the traction motor cooling structure according to claim 3 or 4 ,
The traction motor cooling structure is characterized in that the second guide inclined surface rotates around a vehicle width direction axis according to the swing of the motor, and maintains a constant relative position to the motor. In the traction motor cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to claim 5,
The motor is located below the cross member erected on the left and right side members of the vehicle body,
A traction motor cooling structure characterized in that a third guide surface for guiding the flow of traveling wind toward the rear of the vehicle is set on the cross member. The traction motor cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The motor support member includes a side member that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and contacts the left and right side surfaces of the motor. In the traction motor cooling structure according to claim 7 ,
A traction motor cooling structure, wherein the side member is provided with a radiation fin.

Images